,^^ -% t. - 'J', c't- \V .r- •^, aV r-. . , » A, ., N".* #' ^. ^^ ^^ °.. ^.,^^ -^^ :^V > V', ■S- A v\^" "^-. ^ ^^ ■ V ^^' ^^' v^^^ . ^^ V ./' V 1 (i „ --^^ v^' N-^' .\N^ -T-. ^^x* _^V' .n:^''^ 1 .v\ .^^v ^.. v-^^ 0^ '^ K 5^ " - '^.e^- '> y x'?-' •= V <5. *' -o'^ .'''_• * "^.^ / '^ .•^" ©0' f v\ -.'^^^ .**°' * <1> A' .P >' .^^ -n^. ^^y- V^'' x^^^. '°A * » M " ^ \^" . , . , "^^ "'-^\#' .c,-^^ ,0 O, ,^' ■< ^' <-. t^ * ■>' •^. ^ /^>'> "C 1X!-- iKE'^y^SArayEL ©avo SKETCHES OF VIRGINIA HISTORICAL BIOGRAPHICAL. >* y BY THE Rev. WILLIAM HENRY FOOTE, D.D., PASTOB OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, KOMNEY, VIRGIMA. innh §tt\tB. ^n0nb €lxiia% g^Hs^^, PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO 1856. Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1855, Ik^ J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., '^ in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. TO THE PEOPLE OF THE LIVING GOD, THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND HISTOHICAL WORLD, INSEPARABLY CONNECTED, '.f \' fk. WHOSE OBJECT IS THE DEYELOPMENT OF PRINCIPLES, AND EXPOSITION OF FACTS, iS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. (iii) Errors arising from misajiprehension, or omission, when made known, cheerful!?/ corrected. TABLE OF CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. Fairfax's Grant — The first Settlements west of the Blue Ridge, in Vir- ginia — Grants to Vanmeter — Joist Hite removes to Virginia — Other Settlers — Frederick County set off — Extracts from the Records of Court PAGE 13-17 CHAPTER I. THE SETTLEMENTS ON THE OPEQUON. Verses by a Young Lady — Visit to the Church and Church-yard — The Early Settlers — Names of Families -*-EJttent of Settlement — Mis- sionaries — First Pastor — Second* Pastor — Third Pastor — Inscrip- tion on a Tomb-stone — William Hoge — Robert White — Samuel Glass 18-24 CHAPTER II. SETTLEMENTS ON THE FORKS OP SHENANDOAH. Stone Church, Augusta — Grants to Burden and Beverly — Missiona- ries — Mr. Craig, the first Pastor — His Early Life — Emigrates to America while a Youth — Visits the Triple Forks — Ilis views of the Congregjition — His Domestic Arrangements — The old Burying- ground — Epitaphs of the three Ministers 25-34 CHAPTER III. TINKLING SPRING. The Name — .John Lewis — Col. Patton — John Preston — John Van- lear — John M'Cue — James C. AVillson 35-39 CHAPTER IV. PRESBYTERY OF HANOVER — FROM ITS FORMATION TO ITS REMODELLING. Samuel Davies — Effort to remove Jonathan Edwards to Virginia — Formation of Hanover Presbytery — Tlie Records — John Craig — John Todd — Extracts from the Records of the Council of State — Letter to Whitfield — Efforts for a College in Kentucky — Close of Life — Robert Henry — Origin of Briery Congregation — Anecdote of !JIr. Ilonry — Ills Death — .John Wright — Causes of Toleration — John Brown — John Martin — Some Acts of Presbytery 40-58 (V) Vi TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. NEW PROVIDENCE. Origin of the Ooncrregation, from Mr. Houston's Letter — Building the Church — Classical School — Samuel Brown — His Birth — Educa- tion — Missionary Tours — Settlement — Labors — Estimation of his Charge — Of his Brethren — His Death 58-71 CHAPTERVI. HANOVER PRESBYTERY — FROM 1758 TO 1770. Henry Pattillo — William Richardson — Andrew Millar — Samuel Black — ilugh M'Aden — Richard Sankey — James Waddell, D. D. — James Hunt — David Rice — Mrs. Samuel Blair's Sketch of Herself — James Creswell — Charles Cummings — Samuel Leake — David Caldwell — Joseph Alexander — Thomas Jackson — William Irwin — Hezekiah Balch — The Presbytery of Orange formed 72-89 CHAPTER VII. TIMBER RIDGE. First Inhabitants — Ephraim M'Dowell — Epitaph — Mary Greenlee — Missionaries — Call to John Brown — His Life and Labors — His Supporters, a list of — List of Subscribers, and the sums given for his support — The Alexander Family — Archibald Alexander 91-104 CHAPTER VIII. HANOVER PRESBYTERY" — FROM 1770 TO FORMATION OP VIRGINIA SYNOD. James Campbell — Samuel Edmundson — Caleb Wallace — William Graham — James Templeton — Samuel M'Corkle — Samuel Stanhope Smith — John B. Smith — Edward Crawford — Archibald Scott — Samuel Doak — John Montgomery — James M'Connel — Benjamin Erwin — William Willson — James Crawford — Samuel Shannon — James Mitchel — Moses Hoge — John M'Cue — Adam Rankin — Sam- uel Carrick — Samuel Houston — Andrew M'Clure — John D. Blair. 105-113 CHAPTER IX. SETTLEMENTS ON THE HOLSTON. Letters from Ex-Governor Campbell on the Early Settlements on Hol- ston — Call to Mr. Cummings — Incidents in his Life — The Campbells of Holston — Oflicial Report of the Battle of King's Mountain — The Loss in Campbell's Regiment — Col. Patrick Ferguson -Incidents in his Life , 114-133 CHAPTER X. REV. MESSRS. JAMES MITCHEL AND SAMUEL HOUSTON. Mr. Mitchel's Appearance — His Birth and Ancestry — His entrance on the work of the ministry — His Conversion — Visits Kentucky — Is Ordained — Removes to Bedford — The Great Awakening — Anecdote " of his preaching in Newmarket — His Preaching — His Sickness and Death. Mr. Houston's birth and education — Journal of his military tour, and his account of the battle of Guilford — Enters the Ministry — Goes to Tennessee — Returns to Virginia — Settles at High Bridge —His Death — His Epitaph 133-149 TABLE OF CONTENTS. VJ] CHAPTER XI. THE CAPTIVITY AND ESCAPE OF MRS. INGLIS, 1756. Georore Draper emigrates from Pennsylvania — Residence on the Alle- gheny — Inroaxls of the Indians — Col. Patton killed — The Family taken Captive — Go down the Kanawha to Ohio — Goes to the Big Scioto — Her Occupation — Goes to the Big Bone Licks — Escapes with an old Dutch Woman — Her Journey Homewards — Escapes the observation of the Indians in sight — Ilor Sufferings — The old Woman threatens to kill her — Reaches the Frontier — Is Recognised — Meets her Husband — The Search for her Child — Various Battles with the Indians — Her Son, the captive, comes home — Is Educated — Married — His various removals, and Incidents in his Life 149-159 CHAPTER XII. cornstalk; and the battle at point pleasant. The Shawanees owned the Valley of the Shenandoah — First known of Cornstalk — His Endowments — An Indian Confederacy — An ex- pedition against them planned — Point Pleasant the rendezvous — Tories collected — Gen. Andrew Lewis to command — The march down the Kenawha — The approach of the Indians — The spirit of the Soldiers — Cornstalk leads the Indians — The Shawanees — Lewis prepares for Battle — The Fight commences soon after sunrise, and lasts all day — Attacked in the rear; the Indians retreat — The Gov- ernor arrests the pursuit — Cornstalk in Conference — Eminent Men in the Battle — Cornstalk visits the Point — Is detained as Hostage — His Son visits him — Is detained — Both Slain* 159-168 CHAPTER XIII. REV. WILLIAM HILL, D. D. — FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS SETTLEMENT IN WINCHESTER. Birth-place — Education — Loses his Mother — Enters College — A Re- vival in College — Professes Religion — Is deprived of the use of his income — Revival on Guinea Creek — Mr. Hill lives at Col. Read's — Becomes Candidate for the Ministry — Is Licensed — A Missionary Tour — Interesting Incidents — Ride with Mr. Turner — Sick at Win- chester — Second Mission — Visits Richmond — Col. Gordon's — David Smith — Methodist Meeting — Williamsburg — Mr. Holt — Third Mis- sion — Has Cary Allen as his Companion — Goes over to the Ilolston — Mattliew Lyle — Returns and visits the Potomac — Visits the Valley around Winchester — Ordained and settled in Jefferson County — His Endowments to Preach — Is Married — Winchester Presbytery formed 169-190 \ CHAPTER XIV. REV. JAMES TURNER. His Birth-place and Parentage — His Appearance — His Early Habits — Marries — Is Awakened under Mr. Lacy's preaching — The l> efsteak Club — Mr. Turner visits his Mother in distress — Is hopefullv Con- verted — Exhorts in Meetings — The Club broken up — Is taken on trial for Licensure — His Endowments as a Speaker — Co-Pastor with Mr. Mitchel — Anecdote told by his Son — His Appearance at Pres- bytery — At Synod in Lexington — His Will — Ilis Death 190-201 Vm TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XV. BETHEL AND HER MINISTERS. Origin of Bethel — First Pastor, Mr. Cumining;s — Second Pastor, Mr. Scott Ilis Origin — His entrance to the Ministry — The new Meefc- ino-'Ilouse — Memorial of Presbytery — The Memorial of Messrs. Smith and Todd — Convention of the Presbyterian Church — Soldiers in the Revolution — Alarm at the approach of Tarleton — An old Soldier — Sacred Lyric by Davies — Mr. Scott's Appearance — His Preaching — His Abilities — His Death — His Family — The Exer- cises — Rev. William M'Pheeters, D. D. — His Origin — His Pious Mother — Her Experience and Death — Letter from Dr. M'Farland — He enters the Ministry — Preaches in Kentucky — In Bethel — Called to Raleigh — Organizes a Church — Resigns the Pastoral Care — His Domestic Relations — A Letter from his Daughter — Death of his Son — His own Death 202-216 CHAPTER XVI. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER — HIS LICENSURE AND SETTLEMENT IN CHARLOTTE. His first Ministerial Services — When taken under care of Presbytery — His Trial Pieces — His Companions in Study — His Examinations — Is made Elder — Goes to the Assembly — His visit to Mr. Hoge — . His visit to Philadelphia — Graham's Attachment to the Youth — His Trial Sermon for Licensure — His Examination and Licensure in Winchester — His Winter's Work — The attention excited by his Preaching — Becomes a resident ia Charlotte — Is ordained — The Copartnership — Materials for Church History — Mrs. Legrand .... 217-223 CHAPTER XVII. REV. MESSRS. GARY ALLEN AND WILLIAM CALIIOON. Parentage of Allen — His Peculiarities — His Reflections on the Hogs — His commencing a course of Classical Studies — His Comic Power — John Gilpin — His Conversion — Desires the Ministry — Difliculties in the way — Becomes Candidate — Is Delayed — Is Licensed — Goes to Kentucky with Robert Marshall — His Preaching on Silver Creek — Returns to Virginia — Incident in Campbell — Again visits Kentucky — Mr. Calhoon goes in company — Allen's attempt to imitate Calhoon — His Mission in Virginia — Col. Skillern — Sermon at his House — Address to the Negroes — His Interview at a Tavern — Infidelity re- buked in Lexington by him — Letter from Daniel Allen — William Calhoon — His Childhood — Enters College — Takes Allein's Alarm to William Hill — Becomes Candidate for the Minlstr}' — Goes to Ken- tucky with Cary Allen — Settles in Kentucky — Removes to Virginia — Settles in Albemarle — Removes to Augusta County — His Charac- teristics — His Interview with William Wirt — Mr. Wirt's Conver- sion 223-240 PTE CHAPTER XVIII. JOHN H. RICE, D. D. His Birth-place — His Parentage — His Early Training — Loss of his Mother — Makes profession of Religion — His Youthful Studies — Goes to Liberty Hall — Lives with Mr. Baxter at New London — Pri- vate Teacher at Malvern Hills — His Improvement and his Trials — Returns Home — His Sickness — Seeks the office of Tutor in College 241-247 TABLE OF CONTENTS. ^ CHAPTEK XIX. MESSRS. ALEXANDER AND RICE ASSOCIATED IN COLLEGE. Efforts of the Board to get a President — Mr. Alexander declines — Mr. Blair declines — Apply to Mr. Alexander again — He accepts — Removes to College — Rice and Alexander conjoined become lasting Friends — Arrangements for Preaching — Members of Hanover Pres- bytery — The Charitable Fund — Mr. Rice leaves College — Mr. Alex- ander visits Ohio — Mr. Speece becomes Tutor — The Subject of Baptism — Estimation of Mr. Rice 248-260 CHAPTER XX. GEORGE A. BAXTER — FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS RECTORSHIP. Graham, Rice, and Baxter — Baxter's Birth-place and Parentage — Incident in his Early Life — His Teacher, M'Nemara — Member of College — Professes Faith — Mr. Stuart's Letters — Is Licensed — Mar- ries — Col. Fleming — Chosen Rector of Washington Academy, Lex- ington 260-269 CHAPTER XXI. MESSRS. ALEXANDER AND RICE A SECOND TIME ASSOCIATED AT HAMPDEN SIDNEY. Circumstances — Mr. Alexander goes to Assembly — By the residence of Di. VVaddell — Visits New England — Returns to the College — Becomes Son-in-law of Dr. Waddell — Call to Cumberland — Mr. Rice's Letter to Mrs. Morton — Specimens of Preaching — His Diffi- culties — Is Married — Becomes Candidate for the Ministry — Is Licensed — Minutes of Presbytery transcribed — Mr. Rice called to Cub Creek — Mr. Tompkins, a Baptist Minister — Second step towards a Theological Seminary — Dr. Alexander's estimation of Mr. Rice at that time 269-280 CHAPTER XXII. GEORGE A. BAXTER, AND THE AWAKENING AT THE COMMENCEMENT OP THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. Ministers of the Synod of Virginia — Mr. Baxter visits Kentucky — Letter to Archibald Alexander, giving in detail the facts and circum- stances of the Revival in Kentucky — Revival in Bedford — Mr. Bax- ter, with some young people, visits Bedford 280-290 CHAPTER XXIII. DR. BAXTER — RECTOR AND PRESIDENT. His Income — His Duties in College — The Studies of College — Number of Students completing their Studies — Endowment of the College by the Cincinnati — Name of the Institution changed — Dr. Baxter as President — lie is invited to other Institutions — His Domestic Affairs 290-294 CHAPTER XXIV. REV. DANIEL BLAIN. Birth-place — Parentage — Childhood — Seeks an Education — Goes to Liberty Hall — Licensed — Is Associated with Mr. Baxter — Is Married TABLE OF CONTENTS. — One of the Committee on the Magazine — His Articles — An Ex- tract — llis Eurlv Death — Mary Hanna — Letter from S. B. Wilson, D. D.— Matthew llanna ; . . . 294^301 CHAPTER XXV. DR. RICE — RESIDENCE IN CHARLOTTE. Members of the Church — Colored Members — Mr. Rice teaches School — An Incident — Slave Population — Slaves Members, their condition — The Account of them by Rev. S. J. Price — Articles in the Maga- zine — Donation by Mr. Baker — Collections for a Library — Mr. Alex- ander removes from Virginia — Dr. Iloge chosen President — Reasons for accepting the Office — Dr. Alexander Moderator of Assembly — *' — His Sermon — A Seminary determined upon — Mr. Rice opens As- sembly — His Studies — His Desires — Anecdote of Drury Lacy — Mr. Lacy visits Richmond — Propositions to remove Mr. Rice to Rich- mond — Situation of Hanover Presbytery 301-310 CHAPTER XXVI. WILLIAM HILL IN WINCHESTER, 1800-1818. Population of Winchester — Unable to agree upon the Candidates — Turn their attention to Mr. Hill — Unanimous Invitation — His Influ- ence — The Situation of the Congregation — A Revival — William Wil- liamson — John Lyle — Mr. Hill's Preaching — His Domestic Engage- ments — An Incident 310-319 CHAPTER XXVII. DR. RICE — HIS RESIDENCE IN RICHMOND. Richmond at the time of his Removal — The Burning of the Theatre — Renewed Eflbrts to get Mr. Rice to Richmond — He determines to go — Removes to Richmond — Letter to Dr. Alexander — Reception in Richmond — Presbytery in Richmond — Installation Services — Vir- ginia Bible Society — Difficulties to be overcome — An Incident — The Monumental Church — Friendship of Mr. Buchanan — New Church — The Christian Monitor — Death of Mrs. Morton — The last days of Drury Lacy — Application for an Act of Incorporation — Rev. Samuel J. Mills — The Magazine — The Printing Press — The Pamphleteer — The University of Virginia — Josiah Smith — Mr. Chester's Visit — Young Men's Missionary Society — D. D. — Meeti'ng of General As- sembly, 1820 and 1822 — The General Association of Connecticut — Of Massachusetts — Dr. Sprague's Account 319-340 CHAPTER XXVIII. THE MESSRS. RANDOLPH. Theodore Tudor becomes a Pupil — Taken Sick — Visited by his Mother — She becomes a Believer — John Randolph of Roanoke — Tudor goes to Harvard University — Leaves College — Visits England, and Dies — Randolph's Letter to Rice — The Trials of John Randolph — His Opinion of Dr. Hoge — Letter to Judge Henry St. George Tucker — Death of Mrs. Randolph 340-349 TABLE OF CONTENTS. xi CHAPTEK XXIX. REV. CONRAD SPEECE, D. D. — HIS YOUTH AND MINISTRY TO 1820. His Birth-place — Of German Origin — Samuel Brown encourages him — Begins his Classic Education under Mr. Graham — Great Success in Study — Makes profession of Religion — Begins the study of Divinity — Stops his trials on account of difficulty about Baptism — Becomes Tutor at Hampden Sidney — Is Immersed — Returns to the Presby- terian Church, and is licensed to preach — Settles in Maryland — Returns to Virginia — Settles in Powhatan — Removes to Augusta— His Journal — His Installation — The case of George Bourne — On account of his doings on the subject of Slavery, Mr. Bourne is de- posed — The case goes before the Assembly — Back to Pre-sbytery — Again to Assembly — The Deposition Confirmed — Mr. Speece's opin- ions on Slavery 349-365 CHAPTER XXX. JOHN H. RICE, D. D. — HIS REMOVAL TO PRINCE EDWARD. Circumstances leading to his removal — The labors and last days of Dr. ^-- — Hoge — The estimation in which Dr. Hoge was held — The Assembly founds a Theological Seminary, excited by a memorial from Philadel- phia Presbytery, on the proposition of Archibald Alexander — Mr. Hoge's death — Mr. Alexander chosen President of Hampden "'""" Sidney College — Mr. J. T. Cushing chosen Professor — The Seminary transferred to Hanover Presbytery — J. H. Rice chosen Professor — He is chosen President of Princeton College — Letter from Dr. Miller — Letter from Dr. M'Dowell — Second Letter from Dr. Miller — Dr. Rice to Dr. Woods— Third Letter from Dr. Miller- Mental Exercises of Dr. Rice — Declines the Presidency of the College — Letter to Dr. Alexander — Death of Mrs. Wood — Fourth Letter from Dr. Miller — Visit to the Eastern Shore — Accepts the Professor- ship—Visit to the State of New York 365-387 CHAPTER XXXI. DR. RICE — HIS ENTRANCE ON THE WORK OF THE PROFESSORSHIP. State of Hanover Presbytery — Of Hampden Sidney — President Cush- ing — Mr. Rice's situation, by an eye-witness — Mr. Marsh — The Pro- fessor's House — The Inauguration — The first class of Students — Mr. Marsh employed — Funds of the Seminary — A great Southern Seminary — Dr. Alexander's visit — Mr. Roy appointed Agent — Little Scholarship — Funds transfei-red to the Trustees of General Assembly — The Assembly accepts the keeping of the funds, and takes the oversight of the Seminary — The nine Resolutions — The Synod of Virginia agrees to take the place of the Presbytery — The Synod of North Carolina agrees to join with Synod of Virginia — Dr. Caldwell in debate — Matthew Lyle — The Episcopal Controversy — Review of Bishop Ravenscroft's four Sermons and his Pamphlet 387-410 CHAPTER XXXII. DR. RICE — HIS AGENCIES. Reasons for entering on them — Visits New York in summer of 1827 — Extracts from his Letters — Goes up the North River — Visits Phila- delphia in the fall of 1827, and winter of 1827-8 — Mr. Nettleton's visit to Virginia followed by great religious excitements — Dr. Rice's Letters about it — Mr. Goodrich chosen Professor 410-428 XH TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXIII. LAST LABORS OF DR. RICE. IIo preaches the Sermon before the Board of Foreign Missions — Jamea B. Tavlor — Dr. Rice's Library bou^rht for the Seminary — Dr. Rice's plan f()r a full course of study under four Professors — Students reduce the price of Vjoard — Dr. Rice states his position — The Boston House — Agency in North Carob'na — Hanover Presbytery divided — A Series of Letters addressed to Ex-President Madison — Visit to New York — Goes Home Sick — His last Sermon 428-435 CHAPTER XXXI Y. LAST ILLNESS OF DR. RICE. Confined to his House — Letter to Dr. Wisnor — Memorial to the As- sembly on Foreign Missions — Its disposition — Mr. Staunton assists Dr. Rice — Hlness increases — Drs. M'Auley and M'Dowell elected Professors — Mr. Ballentine attends upon Dr. Rice — The Closing Scene of his Life — Major Morton — The Burial 435-444 CHAPTER XXXV. SPIRIT AND EXAMPLE OF DR. RICE. 1st. Indefatigable in his Efforts — 2d. Earnest in Intellectual Improve- ment — 3d. A Friend of the Colored Race — 4th. Was fond of his Pen — 5th. A quick sense of the Ridiculous — Gth. Happy in his Domestic Relations — 7th. Always caring for the Seminary — Letter to Dr. M'Farland — 8th. Excels in the Class Room — 9th. Abundant in Labors — His Resolutions 444-456 CHAPTER XXXVI. DR. BAXTER INAUGURATED PROFESSOR, Chosen Professor — Enters upon the duties of his Office — His Inau- gural Address — Dr. Hill's Charge — The State of the Southern Churches 456-463 CHAPTER XXXVII. DR. HILL — FROM 1818 TO LEAVING WINCHESTER. Domestic Affliction — Winchester, a visit to, in 1853 — Burial of Eliza- beth M. Hill — Visit to the Grave-Yards — Daniel Morgan — Gen. Robedeau — Judge White — Various Inscriptions — Dr. Ilill finds Trouble — Proposes a renewal of their Covenant to the Church — His habits in Discussions — Some Collisions — Subject of Dancing — Choice of a Successor — A new Church organized — John Matthews, D. D. — Mr. Riddle settled in Winchester — Is removed to Pittsl)urg — Dr. Hill resigns his Charge — Ptemoves to Presbytery of West Hano- ver — To Alexandria — To Winchester 463-480 CHAPTER XXXVTII. DR. SPEECE THE CLOSE OF LIFE. His views of Theological Seminaries — An active friend of the Tem- perance Cause — State of the Question — Death — Dr. Baxter's opinion of him — New IMeasures — Dr. Hondren's opinion of him — His Li- brary — Poetry, the last from his Pen 480-486 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Xlll CHAPTER XXXIX. GOING INTO THE CONVENTION. Position of the Southern Churches in regard to matters in Controversy — 1st. Examination of Ministers — 2d. Churches formed on the Plan of Union — Plan of Union — 3d. Case of Rev. Albert Barnes — 4th. Cause of Foreign Missions — Reception and disposition of Dr. Rice's IMeniorial — Presbytery of Baltimore resolves to engage in Foreign Missions — Western Foreign Missionary Society formed — Report laid before the Assembly, 1832 — Central Board of Foreign Missions — Western Board transferred to Assembly — Not Accepted — Dr. Mil- ler's Letter about Dr. Rice's Memorial — 5th. The Act and Testimony — Against Errors — Gth. The Subject of Slavery — Lastly. A Division of the Presbyterian Church — Position of the Virginia Synod — Act of the Virginia Synod, adopted at Petersburg — The Virginia Pres- byteries determine to go into Convention 486-512 CHAPTER XL. THE CONVENTION OP 1837. The President— Movements of Southern Members — Committee of Business — Resolutions Proposed — Errors Condemned — In Doctrine, Order, and Discipline — Memorial Prepared — Miscellaneous Reso- lutions 513-520 CHAPTER XLI. THE ASSEMBLY OP 1837. Expectation of the Churches — The Opening Services — The Presentation of the Memorial — The Report of the Committee on it — Resolution abrogating the Plan of Union — Debate upon it — Postponement of the Debate on Errors of Doctrine — Resolution for Citation — Debate upon it — Messrs. Beman and Plumer — Committee on the State of the Church — The peaceable division of the Church contemplated — The Committee Disagree — Their Reports — Dr. Baxter's Principle on a Constitutional Question — Brought forward in Convention — And in the Assembly — Debate upon its application to the Western Reserve — The Vote — Foreign Missions — Preparations for a Lawsuit — Errors Condemned — Protests Entered — Where they may all be found — Adjournment of the Assembly 521-538 CHAPTER XLII. THE DIVISION OF THE VIRGINIA SYNOD. The Excitement on account of the action of the Assembly — Dr. Bax- ter's Position and Course — Watchman of the South — Action of the Presbyteries — Action of the Board of Directors of Union Theological Seminary — Resignation of Professors — Position of Drs. Hill and Baxter — Division of Presbyteries, beginning with Abington — Elec- tion of new Professors — Records of Hanover Presbytery — Dr. Hodge's and Dr. Hill's History of the Infancy of Presbyterianism in America — Later Researches — The time Makemie came to America — The Separation of the opposing parts of the Synod — Rev. Wm. M. At- kinson — His Labors, Sickni'-ss, and Death — His Birth — Entrance on the Ministry — His Lovely Character 538-556 Xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XLIII. GEORGE A. BAXTER, D. D. — CLOSING SCENE OF HIS LIFE. Circumstancps of his Last Days — Dr. Hendren's estimation of Dr. Baxter — Mr. Bocock's Address — Dr. Baxter's Writings — Mr. Mor- rison's Letter 55C-5G4 CHAPTER XLIV. RECOLLECTIONS SACRAMENT AT MONMOUTH. Dr. Leyburn's Recollections of Mr. Turner — Of Mr. Mitchel— Of Dr. Speece — Of Dr. Baxter — The Sacrament at Monmouth 5G5-573 CHAPTER XLV. REV. CLEMENT READ. His Ancestry — Genealogy of Families — The Carringtnn Family — Mr. Read's Education — His Wife's Ancestry — His Entrance on the Ministry with the Republican Methodists — Mr. Lacy's Letters about the Union of Denominations — Mr. Read joins the Presbyterian Church — A Calvinist in Creed — His View of the Duties of the Church— His Habits 573-580 CHAPTER XLVI. MESSRS. LOGAN, BOWYER, AND ANDERSON The Labors of Mr. Logan in the Ministry — Judge Johnston's Letter concerning Col. Bowyer — Mrs. Bowyer — Col. Anderson — His Mili- tary Life — His Character 580-586 CHAPTER XLVII. FREDERICKSBURG — JOHN B. HOGE AND JAMES H. FITZGERALD. Location of the City — Orphan Asylum — First place of worship for the Presbyterians — John Mark — First Presbyterian Minister — Recol- lections of Fredericksburg — The Worshippers at the Presbyterian Church — The Order at Church — The Meeting of Synod — The „ Preaching of John B. Hoge — Of Dr. Alexander — Sketch of John B. Hoge — Of James H. Fitzgerald 58G-596 SKETCHES OF YIRGINIA. INTRODUCTION. THE EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA. The first habitations of white men, west of the Blue Ridge in Virginia, designed for a permanent residence, were erected upon the waters that flow into the Cohongorooton, and with it form the Potomac. The grant of the northern neck, to the ancestors of Lord Fairfax, claimed for its western boundary a line from the head-spring of the Rappahannoc, supposed to rise in the Blue Ridge, to the head-spring of the Potomac, supposed to rise in the same ridge, or not far to the west. The Shenandoah, or more prob- ably the Monoccacy, was reckoned the main branch of the Poto- mac. As the beauty and fertility of the country, west of the Blue Ridge, became known by hunters and explorers. Lord Fairfax na- turally searched for the longest stream that passed through the Blue Ridge at Harper's Ferry, gave the name of Potomac to the Cohongorooton of the aborigines and looked for its head-spring in the distant ridges of the Allegheny. The name Potomac, became by general use the appellation of the river, that is the dividing line between Maryland and Virginia, from its mouth to its head- spring. The western or south-western lines of the grant being ex- tended so far into the AUeghenies, Lord Fairfax claimed that ex- tensive and fertile country embraced in the counties of Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire, Frederic, Clarke, Warren, Page, Shenandoah and Hardy. While the claims of Fairfax to this ex- tended grant were not admitted in Virginia, or established in En- land, warrants for surveying and appropriating extensive tracts, west of the Blue Ridge, Avere granted, by the governor of Virginia, to enterprizing men, on condition of permanent settlements being made, on portions of the territory covered by the warrants. John and Isaac Vanuieter obtained, from Gov. Gooch, a warrant for 40,000 acres to be located among the beautiful prairies at the lower (13J 14 THE EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN entl of the valley. This warrant they sold to Joist Hite of Penn- sylvania, who proceeded to make locations of the land, and to in- duce emigrants from the European nations to take their residence on his grant. Of the streams that water the extensive western section of Fair- fax's grant, all of which seek their outlet by the Cohongorooton, at Harper's Ferry, the Opecquon, taking its rise at the base of the North Mountain a few miles west of Winchester, and winding its way through the middle of the valley to the main river Potomac, claims for her banks the honor of the first settlement. The Cedar creek, rising in the same mountain a little farther south, and wind- ing across the valley into the Shenandoah, divides the honor with the Opecquon, or claims indisputably the second place. The Shen- andoah claims the third for its banks above its first forks, in the counties of Page, Warren and Shenandoah. About the same time Linvel's creek in Rockingham, in Beverly's grant, was chosen for a settlement. And then in quick succession the adjoining head streams of the Shenandoah and the James, and the waters that run among the Allegheny ridges into the Potomac, and the Potomac itself, were adorned with habitations of white men associated for mutual defence and improvement. A dispute immediately arose between Fairfax and Hite, and other grantees. Fairfax obtained from the crown the establishment of his boundaries, on conditions, — one of which was that the grants already made by the king's officers should remain undisturbed by any claim of Fairfax. Hite was thus confirmed in his grant, and those that bought under him were secured in their possessions. Fairfax, how- ever, pretended that Hite had not fulfilled the conditions of his grants, for besides the grant obtained from the Messrs. Vanmeter, he had with M'Kay, Green and Dufi", received warrants to locate 100,000 acres in the bounds of the so called northern neck ; and he proceeded to grant away large quantities of the land covered by Hite's warrants. This proceeding led to a lawsuit, which was finally settled in 1786, in favour of Hite. While all that bought under Hite were secured by the compromise with the king, those who bought under Fairfax and settled on Hite's grants, were com- pelled by this decision to hold their titles from Hite. The lawsuit alarmed many emigrants, and the hopes of greater security allured them on to the head waters of the Shenandoah, and a large region of country, of which Staunton is near the centre, was occupied more rapidly than the lower end of the valley, unsurpassed as it was in beauty and fertility, and untroubled as a great part of it was by the opposing grants and the lawsuit. Those that first came into the valley for a residence, were Scotch- Irish, more or less direct from Ireland, through Pennsylvania ; Germans, also through Pennsylvania, more or less direct trom the parent land ; and the Quakers or Friends, of English origin, also irom the state of Penn, their American founder. A large part of the valley, from the head springs of the Shenandoah to the THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA. 15 PotoTnac, or Maryland line, a distance of about 150 miles, em- bracinir ten conntiep, was covered with prairies abounding in tall grnF's, and these, with the scattered forests, were fdled Avith pea vines. Much of the beautiful timber in the valley has grown since the emie'rants chose tbeir linl^tations. Joist Ilite removed his family to Virginia in 17?)2, and took his residence on the Opecquon a few miles south of Winchester. The farm and dwelling of Mr. Ilite have been for many years in posses- eion of the Barton family. His sons-in-law came with him : George Bowman was located on Cedar Creek, about eight miles south of Newtown ; Jacob Chrisman at a spring two miles south of New- town, still called by his name ; and Paul Froman on Cedar Creek, some nine miles above Bowman, towards the North Mountain. Other families came with them, making in all sixteen. Peter Stephens took his residence between Hite and Chrisman, and others settling with him, he called the place Stephensburg, now commonly called 'Newtown. Robert M'Kay made his residence on Crooked Run. Robert Green and Peter Duif came with the company — but prei'erred locating a part of their grant east of the Blue Ridge, in llappahannoc County. Other grants were obtained from the Governor in the region claimed b}'' Fairfax, and were sanctioned by the king ; one in 1733, to Jacob Stover, a German, for five thousand acres on the south fork of the Gerando (Shenandoah) and on Mesinetta Creek. In 1734, Benjamin Allen, Riley Moore and William White, removed from Monoccasy in Maryland, and settled on the north branch of the Shenandoah, about twelve miles south of Woodstock. Before any settlement had been made in the valley of the Shen- andoah, John Vanmeter, from the state of New York, accompanied the Delawares in an excursion to the Catawba. Their path led along the south branch of the Potomac. Delighted with the ap- pearance of Hardy County, he, on his return, advised his sons if they turned their steps southward for a home to seek the south branch. His son Isaac visited the country about tbe year 1736, and made what is called a tomahawk right to Fort Pkasant. Re revisited the country in 1740, and found a cabin built upon the tract. He bought out the inhabitant, and in 1744, removed his family. Between his first visit, and his removal, a number of persons had taken their abode along the branch — Howard, Coburn, Walker, Rutiedge, Miller, Hite, Casey, Pancake, Forman, and perhaps others, iiad found their way to that beautiful country. In 1734, Richard Morgan obtained a grant for a tract of land in the immediate vicinity of Shepherd's town, on the Cohongorooton. The first settlers were Robert Harper (at Harper's Ferry), Thomas and Vv'illiam Forrester, Israel Friend, Thomas Shepherd, Thomas Swearingen, Van Swearingen, James Forman, Edward Lucas, Jacob liite (son of Joist), John Lemon, Richard and Edward Mercer, Jacob Vanmeter and brothers, Robert Stockton, Robert Buckles, John Taylor, Richard Morgan, William Stroop and John 16 THE EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN Wright. Others were soon added : and settlements were made along the banks of the Cohongorooton, or Potomac, from Harper's Ferry to the North Mountain. An enterprizing man by the name of Ross obtained a warrant for forty thousand acres. His surveys were north of Winchester, along the Opecquon and Apple-pye Ridge. The settlers were Friends, and in 17-38 had regular monthly meetings. In 1730, Colonel Robert Carter had obtained a grant for sixty three thousand acres along the Shenandoah, on the west side, from the forks down about twenty miles : some of the finest lands in Warren County were embraced. Another grant of thirteen thou- sand acres along the same river, next below Carter's tract, em- braced the finest lands in Clarke County. These tracts were not pressed into market, and were not occupied till the rest of the valley was taken up. Back Creek in Berkeley county, west of the North INIountain, was early settled, being chosen in preference to the lands in the valley between the North Mountain and the Blue Ridge. The settlers were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. The date of their earliest settlement is not preserved. Harassed by the Indians in Braddock's war, the greater part went across the North Mountain and took their abode on Tuscarora and along to the Falling Waters, and founded con- gregations by those names, still known in the Presbyterian Church. In 1738, the County of Frederick was set off, including all Fair- fax grant west of the Blue Ridge, now embraced in ten counties. The preamble of the law says — " Whereas great numbers of people have settled themselves of late upon the rivers Shenandoah, Cohon- gorooton and Opecquon, and the branches thereof, on the north side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, whereby the strength of the colony, and its security upon the frontiers, and his majesty's revenues of quit-rents are like to be much increased and augmented," &c., &c. On Tuesday, November 14th, 1748, eight persons took the magistrates' oath, and composed the court. Morgan Morgan and David Vance administered the oath to Marquis Calmes, Thomas Rutherford, William M'Mahon, Meredith Holmes, George Hoge and John White. These, in turn, administered the oath to Morgan Morgan and David Vance. James Wood vras made Clerk of the County, and Thomas Rutherford, Sheriff. James Porteus, John Steerman, George Johnston, and John Newport, gentlemen, taking the oath of attornies, were admitted to the Bar. Winchester was the county seat. At the second meeting of the court, December 9th, 1748, the will of Benjamin Burden, who had been named as' magistrate, was proved : Barnet Lindsey received twenty lashes on his bare back, at the common whipping-post, for stealing two pieces of venison from the milk house of Thomas Hart, adjudged to be worth two pence: Henry Howard, servant to James M'Crachan, 'was adjudged guilty of a misdemeanor, on charge of stealing a mare from Samuel Glass, and received ten lashes on his bare back, December 10th. In another case of horse stealing — or rather horse 4 THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA. 17 riding — taking a man's horse without leave, and riding off on a visit for some days — the defendant had his choice of twenty lashes or fifteen shillings fine : the same Henry Howard was complained of by his master, James M'Crachan, that he had been absent eleven days, and that in finding him and bringing him back, the expenses had been twenty shillings, and one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco ; and the court ordered that he serve six months and four days for his runaway time and expenses, after the expiration of his time of servitude according to law, unless he could otherwise satisfy his master. In March, 1744, ordered that James O'Neal keep the Court House clean, and attend on court days to take care of the Justices' horses during a twelvemonth, for which he is to receive from the county levy X23 15«. current money. These servants were persons from the old country, sold to service for a term of time to pay their passage across the ocean. Black slaves were not common in the valley of Virginia, till long after the revolution, except along the Shenandoah river, on the tracts of land owned by persons living east of the Ridge. The public officers were chosen with due respect to the various settlements in the extended county. The High Sheriff was from Jefferson — the County Clerk from Winchester — Morgan, one of the Magistrates, from Berkeley, Hoge, from south branch of Potomac, and the others from Frederick, and Clarke, and Warren. Augusta County was set off in 1738, at the same time with Frede- rick. The two counties were to embrace all western Virginia ; Frederick to contain that part of the northern neck west of the Ridge, and Augusta all the rest of the vast western possessions. The dividing line was to run from the head-spring of Hodgeman's river, a branch of the Rappahannoc, to the head-spring of the Poto- mac. Augusta contained an area now embraced by four states, and about forty counties in Virginia. The emigrants to this county were like those to Frederick, with the exceptions of the Friends. The Scotch-Irish took the lead. And now kind reader, you shall be introduced, if you please, to some of these early settlements, made by men of strong minds, ready hands, and brave hearts ; the elements of whose character, like the country they chose, have been developed in the prosperity of Virginia. 18 THE OPECQUON SETTLEMENT. CHAPTER I. THE OPECQUON SETTLEMENT. [Lines written by a young lady that now lies in the old burying-ground near Opecqnon Ch'arcli.') Hear you not the warning: sigh On the breeze that passes by? Lingerers near this solemn ground, To our silent home ye're bound. Ilast thou strength ? the strong were laid In these mansions of the dead. Youth and vigor slumber here ; And hast thou no cause to fear? Hast thou kindred? ties as strong Here have been forgotten long: As they laid each sleeper low, Sighs were heaved, and tears did flow. Hast thou beauty ? hast thou wealth ? Future hopes and present health? Trust them not, — here perished lie, Loveliness and hopes as high. Yes, we hear thee ; — on the ear There has fallen a voice of fear. Deep, sepulchral, hollow tone. We would bid thy words begone. Must we perish? must we die? And beneath the cold earth lie? Yes, this fearful thing we know; Monitor, thy tale is true. Speak again thou warning one ; Did you go with horror down ? Did the dread of that dark place Freeze thy blood, and blanch thy face ? there is a mingled sound From the regions under ground? Songs of joy, and anguished moans, From the lost and rescued ones? Listen, and their truth's the same; We had hope in Jesus' name, And that hope shone in the gloom; Seek his love to light thy tomb. But the groaning of the lost, Helpless, restless, tempest-tossed, Comes to break that happy strain ; We despised the Saviour's name, And we warn you from the grave. Ye cannot his anger brave. Lingerers! idle not your day. Fly, and seek him while you may. About three miles from Winchester, on the paved road to Staun- ton, on the western side of the road, near a little village, is a stone building surrounded by a few venerable oaks. That is Opecquon OPECQUON CHURCH. 19 meeting house ; and between it and the village is the grave-yard, in which lie the remains of some of the oldest settlers of the valley: in their midst the writer of these lines, going down to the rest of her ancestors in her worth and loveliness, a believer in Jesus. Her voice charmed many hearts, in the praises of God, in this house : silenced on earth, her spirit makes melody in heaven. Let us visit this church and yard. This house is the third built upon this site for the worshippers of the Opecquon Congregation. This old grove has witnessed the coming and going of generations ; and could these trees speak, they could tell of remarkable scenes of crowded assemblies, of tears, and groans, and outcries, and joyful songs of faith, and hope, and love, under the faithful preaching of the gospel. They have bent their boughs over many a funeral train, mourning for some, lest the buried, " restless, hope- less, tempest-tossed" were waiting a sorrowful resurrection ; and waving with joy over others whose dead " had hope in Jesus' name." Come, let us sit down here, in the shadow of the church and school- house, which always went hand in hand with the Scotch-Irish emigrants, and these old trees, the witnesses of the past and present, and let us gather up some of the memorials of the events and generations passing in a century of years. It was a condition of the grant by which Hite came in possession of this beautiful country, that he should persuade some of the emigrants from the European countries, and from Pennsylvania, to settle on his lands. In all his grants of frontier territory, the Governor secured an increase of population and wealth to his Majesty's Colony, while he made the grantees rich. Hite, Beverly, and Burden, grantees in the valley, sent out advertisements to meet the emigrants as they landed on the Delaware, and also as they were about to leave their native land, setting forth the fertility and beauty of the valley, and offering favorable terms to actual settlers. And soon after Hite had removed his family to the Opecquon, the Scotch-Irish, immediately from Ireland, began to rear habitations around him and his sons-in-law, Bowman and Chrisman, and Fro- man, and near to Stephens and M'Kay. Of those that came first, the greater part took their titles from Hite and were located to the south of Opecquon. As others came and joined the settlement, some purchased of Fairfax, and others settling near the line of the grant, purchased on both sides, and held their titles from both Hite and i^'airfax. Tradition says that Hite made more favourable terms for his purchasers than Fairfax was inclined to do ; but does not tell in what this advantage consisted, except Fairfax demanded payment in money, and Hite received part in traffic. Samuel Glass tuok his residence at the head-spring of the Opecquon, having pur- ciiased from Hite sixteen hundred acres, lying alung the southern side of tlie stream. He afterwards made some smaii puixhases of Fairiax — and as a grand-daughter said, might have had as much as he pleased of the land lying toward Winchester, for a few shillings the acre. James C. Baker now occupies his farm. A son-in-law, 20 OPECQUON CHURCH. Becket, was seated between Mr. Glass and North Mountain ; his son David took his residence a little below his father, on the Opec- qnon, at Cherry Mead, now owned by Madison Campbell ; his son Robert was placed a little further down at Long Meadows, now in possession of his grand-son Robert. The stone dwelling is on the old site, and at the back of it is carefully preserved, as part of the residence, the stockade fort used as the place of refuge in alarms. Next down the creek was Joseph Colvin and family. None of the descendants remained long in possession of their purchase here, they chose to live on Cedar Creek. Then came John Wilson and the Marquis family, with whom he was connected ; the grave of his wife is marked, in this yard, by the oldest monumental stone in the valley. Next were the M'Auleys, within sight of the church here ; and then William Hoge had his residence on that little rising ground near by us to the west. He gave this parcel of land for a burying-ground, a site for a church and a school-house. Adjoining these to the south were the Allen family, a part of whom speedily removed to the Shenandoah, near Front Royal. The M'Gill family now occupy their positions here. A little beyond the village, on the other side of the paved road, lived Robert Wilson ; his residence, part stone, and part wood, remains to this day. There M'Aden, on his mission to North Carolina, met with the preacher of Opec- quon ; and there Washington, while stationed at Winchester, was often entertained. A little further down the stream lived James Vance, son-in-law of Samuel Glass, and ancestor of a numerous race, most of whom are to be found west of the Alleghenies. These were all here as early as 1736, or '37. Other families gathered around these, and on Cedar Creek, charmed with a country abounding with prairie and pea vines, and buffaloe and deer. By the time of Braddock's Avar, the congregation assembling at this place for worship was large, and composed of families of great moral worth, whose descendants have been thought worthy of any posts of trust, honor, or profit, in the gift of there fellow-citizens. They came from the gap in the North Mountain, from the neigh- borhood of the White Posts, from the neighborhoods east of Win- chester, from Cedar Creek, and from beyond Newtown. While Washington was encamped in Winchester this was the only place of religious worship in the vicinity of the fort. Congregations assembled here when Winchester could scarce show a cluster of houses. After Braddock's war many families were added to the congregation, as the Chipleys, the Gilkersons, the Simralls and the Newalls, and many others. But it is not necessary to add further to this list, as a large portion of the families that composed the congregation of Opecquon, about the close of the 18th century, removed to the inviting fields of Kentucky, and very few families now residing near this sacred spot, can trace their origin to the early settlers. The first minister of the Presbyterian order that visited this region is supposed to have been a Mr. Gelston, of whom the PASTORS OF OPECQUON CHTJIICH. 21 Records of Donegal Presbytery, in 1736, say — "Mr. Gclston is appointed to pay a visit to some neAv inhabitants near Opeckon, in Virginia, who have been writing to Mr. Gelston, and, when he was over the river, desired a visit of this kind ; and he is to spend some time in preaching to said new inhabitants according to discretion." In 1T39, the same Presbytery took measures to send Mr. John Thompson, as an Evangelist, through the new settlements, on the frontiers of Virginia. The missionaries sent out by Donegal and New Castle Presby- teries to the frontiers, and those under the direction of the Synod, found Opecquon on their journeys going and returning. Mr. William Robinson, on his long to be remembered tour through Virginia and Carolina, repeatedly preached here. On the division of the Synod, which began in 1742, and continued till 1758, the people on Opeckon generally went with the new side, and had the visits of missionaries from the Presbytery of New Castle, and other parts of the Synod of New York. The first pastor of this church was John Hoge, a relative of him that gave this land for the place of worship, and the burial of the dead. He was graduated at Nassau Hall, in 1748, and prepared for the ministry under the care of New Castle Presbytery. As the records of that Presbytery for a series of years cannot be found, and no private memoranda have been discovered to throw any light on the subject, the time of his licensure, and of his ordination, are not certainly known. He appears on the roll of Synod as a member in 1755. At that time he was preaching at this place. Hugh M'Aden, the pioneer in Carolina, in his journal, says, that on Tues- day, June 18th, 1755, he spent the day at Robert Wilson's, in company with Mr. Hoge, the minister. They appear to have been acquaintances. Under Mr. Hoge, the churches of Cedar Creek and Opecquon were regularly organized. There are no records of the congregations during the long period of his ministry. Tradition says he was an amiable and pious man. Becoming infirm the latter part of his life, he gave up his charge. After the Synods were united, Mr, Hoge became a member of the Presbytery of Donegal, and continued united with that body, until it was, in 1786, divided, in anticipation of forming a General Assembly, into the Presbytery of Baltimore and the Presbytery of Carlisle, to the latter of which he was annexed as Avithout charge : in 1795, he was member of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, without charge, after which his name does not appear on the records, but the time of his death is not mentioned. The next minister was John Montgomery, from Augusta County, a graduate of Nassau Hall; ordained in 17^0, and in 1781, accepted a call from Winchester, Opecquon, and Cedar Creek. A young gentleman of fine manners, and pleasant address, and esteemed as a preacher. He remained with the congregation till 1789, and tbon removed to the Calf Pasture. The third minister was Nash Legrand, an extended notice of 22 THE BUKIAL-GROUND. whom is found in the first series of these sketches. He came to visit the churches, and there being a mutual approbation, he accepted their call in 1790. His ministry was eminently successful ; under his care Opecquon saw her best days. This stone house was built. A continued revival filled the church with devoted worshippers. The neighborhoods were full of young people, active, intelligent, and enterprizing. The reports from the west painted Kentucky as more beautiful in its solitariness, than Opecquon had been to the eyes of the emigrants from Ireland. And the grand-children, like their ancestors, sought a new home among the prairies, beyond the Alleghenies. Not a moiety of the congregations remained with their preacher. .Being bereaved of his wife, and suffering in health, Mr. Legrand left Opecquon, in 1809. Since that time the church has been served by a succession of ministers, and has been blessed with revivals. Now let us go within this stone enclosure, and among the re- mains of the ancient settlers, and meditate upon the past. Let us enter through the narrow gate-way on the southern side, through which the congregation sleeping here entered, never to return. Let us pause a few moments at this rough, low, time-worn stone, in the very centre of the graves ; the first, with an inscription, reared in the Valley of Virginia to mark the resting-place of an emigrant — you will scarcely read the inscription on one side, or decipher the letters and figures on the other. The stone crumbled under the unskilful hands of the husband, who brought it from that eminence yonder on the west, and, in the absence of a proper artist, inscribed the letters himself, to be a memorial to his young and lovely wife. Tradition says he was the school-master. [On the other.] F R OM J K L AN D Ju 1 y vi'" 1737 ^*^'y Argma g H, - "^ [On one side.] JOHN WILSO^ I N T E K E D HERE THE B D Y 8 OF HI S 2 CHILDER & WIFE y" MOTHER MARY MARCUS WHO DYED AG" THE 4"' 1742 AI ged 22 year On the side on which Ireland is chiselled, the pebbles- in the stone, or his unsteady hand, made large indentures, and rendered the inscription almost illegible. Here the stone has stood, a monu- ment of affection, and marked the grave of the early departed, while the days of more than a century have passed away. Out towards the eastern corner marked by these small head and foot stones without names, lie Hoge, and White, and Vance, and we know not how many others, with their families. We cannot dis- tinguish their graves, but we know they lie there. A little to the right of that hmestone pyramid lies William Hoge, buried in the THE BURIAL-GROUND. 23 land of his own gift — and many of his family and descendants are around him. A pious man, he sought in America a home, in cir- cumstances he could not find in Scotland. A native of Paisley, he embarked while a youth with a company of emigrants, leaving their native shores on account of political and religious difficulties. Among these was a family by the name of Hume. The father and mother died on the voyage and left an only child, a daughter. Young Hoge took charge of their effects, and on arriving at New York delivered them and the young lady to a connexion, a Dr. Johnston. Having chosen Amboy for his home, Mr. Hoge sought Miss Hume in marriage. In a few years he removed to the State of Delaware ; and again, in a few years, removed and found a home on the Swetara, in Pennsylvania; and from that place in his old age removed, with his emigrating children, about the year 1735, to Opecquon. His oldest son, William, joined ,the Quakers, and took his residence with them in Loudon County ; his second son, James, lived near Middletown, is mentioned by Dr. Alexander in his Autobiography, and was eminent for his clear un- derstanding, devout fear of God, and love of the gospel of Christ ; he attached himself to the Seceder Church ; his son, Moses, was the professor of Theology, first regukarly chosen as such by the Synod of Virginia. George, the third son of William Hoge, was one of the first bench of Magistrates in Frederick County, lived a short time on the south branch of Potomac, and removed to North Carolina. Robert Wilson had married the second daughter, and lived in -that stone and wooden house. The bones of those who died on the Opecquon are in the south-eastern part of the yard, every foot of which is occupied as a tenement of the dead. Near that tree in the eastern corner lies Dr. Robert White, a graduate of Edinburgh, and many years a Surgeon in the British Navy. While in the service he visited his connexion, William Hoge, then living in Delaware, and in process of time became his son-in-law, taking for his wife the elder daughter Margaret. Having emi- grated with his kin people to Virginia, he took his residence near the North Mountain, on a creek which bears his name. He was laid in this yard in the year 1752, in the 64th year of his age. He left three sons, John, Hobert, and Alexander. Robert inherited the residence of his father, and it descended to his grand-child. Alexander became a lawyer of eminence, lived near Winchester, WHS a member of the first Congress of the United States, and of the Virginia Convention tliat adopted the Federal Constitution ; and was a member of the Legislature at the time the Rev. J. B. Smith made his famous speech on the rights of conscience, against a general assessment. John was a member of the first bench of Magistrates in Frederick County, and was father of Robert White, who, iu his youth, signalized himself in the Revolutionary Army, and bore the marks of his courage in his slightly limpiug gait, while he adorned the bar, and then the bench of his native Stale, as President of the General Court. 24 THE BURIAL-GROUND. This limestone pyramid tells you it was reared in memory of Samuel Glass and Mary Gamble, his Avife, who came in their old age, from Ban Bridge, County Down, Ireland, and were among the early settlers, talcing their abode on the Opecquon in 1736. His wife often spoke of "her two fair brothers that perished in the siege of Derry." Mr. Glass lived like a patriarch with his descen- dants. Devout in spirit, and of good report in religion, in the absence of a regular pastor, he visited the sick to counsel and instruct, and to pray. His grand-children used to relate in their old age, by way of contrast, circumstances showing the strict obser- vance of the Sabbath by families. Public worship was attended when practicable ; and reading the Bible, committing and reciting •the Catechism, and reading books of piety and devotion, filled up all the hours. Mr. Glass, in the midst of wild lands to be pur- chased at a low rate, thought sixteen hundred acres enough for him- self and his children. Around him here lie his children and many of his grand-children, having given evidence of reconciliation to God. Just at his right lies his son-in-law, James Vance, the father of numerous descendants, both in Virginia and the wide region west of the Alleghenies. Out here to the left are his children, grand-children and great-*rand-children. There is his grand-son, Joseph Glass, a Presbyterian preacher, of strong frame and power- ful mind, going down to his grave in the very strength of his life, in 1821 ; and at his side was laid, in 1831, his wife, the flower of another Scotch-Irish family : and just by lies their eldest daughter, the wife of a Presbyterian preacher, who says on her tomb-stone, "It is easy for a Christian to die" — and near by lies the second daughter, left by the death of her parents the head of the family, herself in declining health. Among her papers were found a few lines written soon after her mother's death. Will you read them ? — Oh ! my mother, vainly now ^ I seek thee, while my heart is aching; ^■^' And seest, knoweat, carest thou, While sorrow's cloud is o'er me breaking? Thou dost not hear me — far away, AVhere sorrows come not, thou art dwelling; Thou heedest not the dark array Which heavily my heart is filling. My own kind mother ! 'tis not vain To think of thee, to love thee dearly ; That love is pure, it hath no stain ; Such love, such vision, cometh rarely. Oh, often when I sleep, I hear Thy soft voice, and I see thee smiling ; Tho' heavier load I wake to bear, I love that sweet and brief beguiling. My blessed mother ! thou art where Thou canst not hear my sad complaining. But clothed in bliss and brightness there. With the redeemed thy spirit's reigning. And Father, wilt thou grant me grace To follow where her step was leading? With her in heaven grant me a place, This, this, shall be my latest pleading. THE STONE CHUKCH. 25 This whole yard is strewed with the ancient dead. These new- fooking monuments mark the beginning of a second century among the graves. Excellence and beauty lie here. How gladly would wo stop at the very grave of William Hoge, from whom have descended so many honorable families, and so many ministers of the Gospel ! And "the beauty of Opecquon" — who shall tell us where she laid down, heart-broken, to rest? To this yard hundreds and hundreds, in Virginia, and the far West, will come to seek the sepulchres of their emigrating ancestors. At the Resurrection there will be joyous meetings. Could proper memoranda of Back Creek, Falling Waters, and Tuscarora, in Berkeley County, and Elk Branch and Bull Skin, in Jefferson, and of the south branch in Hardy, be brought to light, reflections, profitable and impressive, would cluster around the re- collections and memorials of the worthy emigrants. They were of the same race as those of Opecquon, and probably not a whit behind in excellence. In the absence of other testimony, these examples must guide our judgment respecting the congregations in the northern part of the great Valley of the Shenandoah. CHAPTER II. ^HE SETTLEMENTS ON THE FORKS OF THE SHENANDOAH — THE STONE CHURCH. The traveller on the great paved road from Winchester to Staunton, after passing the eighty-third mile-stone, sees on his right, (about eight miles from Staunton), in a grove of ancient oaks, a stone building, of antique and singular appearance. The east end is towards the road, with a large doorway for folding doors, about midway from the corners of the house ; and on one side of this large entrance is a low, narrow door, according with no known archi- tecture or proportion. Near the ridge of the roof the gable slants a number of feet, as if the corner of the roof and gable had been cut off, and the vacancy covered with shingles. A little above the great door is a window of modern construction. On the north side of the house is an appendage, a small room with walls and chimney of stune. Diverging from the road, in the path long trod by the generations assembling here, the visitor will perceive, at a small distance from the house, traces of a ditch and the remains of an embankment, drawn quite round the house in a military style. This is the oldest house of worship in the Valley of Virginia. It has seen the revolution of years carrying away generations of men, and their habitations, and their churches. The light pine doors speak at once their modern origin, swinging in the place of the massy 26 THE FIRST SETTLERS ON THE SHENANDOAH. oaks that hung upon the solid posts, in unison with the walls that now, after the storms of a century have left their marks, give no signs of speedy decay. Reared before Braddock's war, this house was to the early emigrants a place for the worship of Almighty God, and a retreat from the inroads of the savages, the dwelling- place of mercy, and a refuge from the storm. That ditch was deep, and that bank had its palisade ; and that little door was the wicker- gate, and that room was the kitchen, when the alarm of approach- ing savages filled the house and closed the massy doors. Thus secured, the courageous women and children could defend them- selves from any savage attack while the strong men went to their fields, or to drive oflF the intruding foe. On the other side of the great road is the place where these adventurous emigrants were laid to repose till dust has returned to dust, in close assemblage, as in the house of God, or the palisaded fort. These first settlers of this beautiful country were like those of Opccquon, from the north of Ireland, the blended Scotch-Irish, and in search, as they said, of freedom of conscience with a competence in the Avilderness ; and for these they cheerfully left their homes and kindred in Ireland. Unallured by the speedy steamers and comfortable packets, they crossed the great abyss of waters, and sought the mountains of Virginia. Benjamin Burden and William Beverly had each obtained a large grant of land from Governor Gooch, to be located west of the Blue Ridge, on the head-waters of the Shenandoah and the James. Each of these was interested to procure settlers by the terms of the grant, and for their own convenience and profit. Beverly was from the lower country of Virginia, a branch of the well-known family ; Burden was an enter- prizing trader from New Jersey, and had ingratiated himself with the Governor. John Lewis was from Ireland, by way of Portugal, to which he first fled after a bloody encounter with an oppressive land-holder, of whom Lewis was lessee. Lewis brought his wife, Mary Lynn, and four sons, Andrew, Thomas, William, and Charles, and one daughter, as we are told by Colonel Stuart, of Greenbrier, and made his locations on a creek running into the Middle Forks of Shenandoah. His residence was a few miles below Staunton, which stands on the same creek, called, after the first settler, Lewis. John Mackey at the same time took his residence at Bufialo Gap ; and John Sailing at the forks of James river, below the Natural Bridge. Lewis located land in diflerent places, making judicious selections. Beverly's tract lay across the valley, the upper edge of which included Staunton. Burden's tract was in the upper part of Augusta, and in Rockbridge. Great efforts were made to call the attention of emigrants, who, landing on the Delaware, were finding their Avay to the lower end of the valley, and the pleasant counti'y at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge, on the waters of the James and Roanoke. Advertise- ments were sent to meet the emigrants at landing, and also, it is gaid, across the water. It does not appear that either of these EMIGRANTS AND MISSIONARIES. 27 gentlemen went, or sent agents to Europe, to seek for emigrants : that was not necessary. The tide of emigration was rapid. The invitations offering the most favorable terms, were the most suc- cessful. Beverly and Burden could present more encouraging cir- cumstances in the upper end of the valley, than Hite and others could at the lower end, threatened as they wei'e by Fairfax, with lawsuits, and all the vexations of litigation. And before the year 1738, numerous settlements were made on the prairie hills and vales of the Triple Forks of Shenandoah. The old stone church, with the grave-yard near, was the centre of a cluster of neighborhoods. Emigrants in suflScient numbers to form a congregation able to support a minister, would scatter abroad in distant localities in this beautiful region, scarcely near enough for self-defence, or to assemble on the sabbath. Families chose their residence according as they fancied a spring of water, a running stream, a hill, a piece of woods, a prairie, or extensive range for cattle and horses, or abundance of game, that gathered in some valleys. The first consequence of this wide occupation of the country was ease of living. The range was sufficient for the cattle and horses, summer and winter. A few fields were tilled for bread. The next consequence was a long ride or walk to meet in congregations for public worship on the sabbath ; and by degrees the people became di&used to the sanctuary, and began to lose a regard for religious ordinances. The third was exposure to savage inroads. For some twenty years the emigrants were unmolested. Some that had known war in Ireland, lived and died in that peace in this wilderness, for which their hearts longed in their native land. Others in the quietness and abundance of this isolated county, began to think Avars and fightings were confined to the legends of past days. The use of fire-arms, in which they became expert, was to supply from the wild game their returning appetites. Missionaries speedily followed these emigrants. " A supplication from the people of Beverly Manor, in the back parts of Virginia," was laid before the Presbytery of Donegal, September 2d, 17o7 — " requesting supplies. The Presbytery judge it not expedient for several reasons to supply them this winter ; but order Mr. Ander- son (James) to write an encouraging letter to the people to signify that the Presbytery resolves, if it be in their power, to grant their request next spring." Mr. Anderson was the bearer of tlie petition of the Synod of Philadelphia, to Governor Gooch of "Vn-ginia, made at the request of John Caldwell and others, in 17^8, to obtain protection in the exercise of their religious preferences. Having been kindly received, he visited the emigrants in the valley with assurances from the Governor, of protection in the exercise of their consciences in matters of religion, and encourage- ment to extend their settlements. Another supplication was presented in September, 1739. " The Presbytery having discoursed at some length upon it, and hearing Mr. Thompson express his willingness in some degree to be ser- 28 EARLY PREACHERS. viceable to that people, if tlie Lord shall please to call him thereto, and if other difficulties in the way be surmounted, the Presbytery look on him as a very fit person for the j3i;reat undertaking. Mr. Thompson made a number of visits to the Valley of the Shenandoah, and to the Presbyterian Congregations east of the Ridge ; and finally took his residence for some years in Prince Edward, near or with his son-in-law, Mr. Sankey, minister of Buffalo. The same year, 1739, Mr. John Craig, a licentiate, was sent by the Presby- tery to visit " Opecquon, the High Tract, and other societies of our persuasion in Virginia, at his discretion.^" The next spring from different congregations there came up " supplications, wherein they request that Presbytery, by reason of great distance, please to form a call to Mr. Craig, and affix the names to the call of the subscri- bers to said supplications." The Presbytery called on Mr. Craig for information and his wishes in respect to these supplications. Mr. Craig expressed himself in favor of the " call from the in- habitants at Shenandoah and the South river;" the Presbytery directed Mr. Sankey to prepare a call. On the 17th of June, Mr. Craig declared his acceptance ; and in September, 1740, passed his trials for ordination. " Robert Doag and Daniel Dennison from Virginia, declared in the name of the congregation of Shenandoah, their adherence to the call formerly presented to Mr. Craig" — the next day was appointed as " a day of solemn fasting and prayer, to be observed by all parties concerned^ in order to implore the divine blessing and concurrence in the great undertaking." Mr. Sankey preached from Jeremiah 3. 15, "I will give you pastors after mine own heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and un- derstanding ;" and Mr. Craig was set apart for the work of the gospel ministry in the south part of Beverly's Manor." Mr. Craig was the first Presbyterian minister regularly settled in the Colony of Virginia. In his old age, he prepared for his de- scendants a manuscript volume containing the important facts of his life, interspersed with reflections, prayers, and meditations. It is entitled — A 'preacher preaching to himself from a long text of no less than sixty years : On review of past life. " I was born August 17th, 1709, in the parish of Dunagor, County Antrim, Ireland, of pious parents, the child of their old age, tenderly loved, but in prudent government, and by early in- structions in the principles of religion as I was capable of receiving them, Avhich had strong effects on my young and tender mind, (being then about five or six years of age,) and engaged me to fly to God with prayers and tears in secret, for pardon, peace, guidance and direction, Avliile in the world, and to tit me for deatli ; and what appears strange to me now, the just thoughts and expressions that were given to me, and the strict care of my conduct, lest in my MR. craig's narrative. 29 cliilrlish folly, I shoiild sin acrainst God ; and the correct desire I had to know more of God and my duty to him, made me diligent, and the task easy, to learn to read the word of God, which then and ever since gave me great delight and pleasure : and though I endeavored to conceal my little religious exercises and acts of de- votion, my affectionate and tender parents discovered my conduct, and turn of mind, and thirst after knowledge, which raised in them pleasing hopes, and engaged them contrary to their former designs, to bestow upon me a liberal education." About the age of fourteen or fifteen, he made profession of religion, being admitted, after ex- amination, to the Lord's table, by Rev. Alexander Brown, who bap- tized him. While at school he was careful to avoid those com- panions that might lead him into the imitation of their vicious ways. He was at first shocked by the depravity he saw around : — this he says — "made me pray more earnestly that God would keep me from falling in with those views. As for my conduct and diligence for the space of eight or nine years at school, I never received one stroke, or so much as a sharp rebuke from all the masters I was with : but still gained the favor of them all." He then spent some years in reading Algebra, and the Mathematics generally. Logic, Metaphysics, Pneumatics and Ethics — and also Geography and History, ecclesiastical and profane : aud then he repaired to Scotland, and in the college at Edinburgh, attained to the degree of A. M. Anno Domini, 1732. His observations in college, and the opening prospects in Avorldly matters, embarrassed him greatly in his choice of a profession. After much perplexity he resolved to attend the physicians' hall. A long and dangerous illness that came upon him was accompanied with the sufferings of an accusing con- science. After a confinement of about six months, unexpectedly to himself and others he recovered. He had wept and prayed, and humbled himself before God. "Patrimony and estate had then little weight in my mind, being well convinced that God who saved my life from death would support it, Avhile he had any service for it. So I cast myself upon his care, and earnestly prayed for his direction." He was now pretty much settled in his convictions that he ought to engage in the ministry of the gospel. " America was then much in my mind accompanied with the argument — that service would be most pleasing and acceptable, where most needful and wanting — which raised in me a strong desire to see that part of the world. I consulted my parents and friends, who did not much hinder my designs. I earnestly cried to God for his directions, that he would restrain or encourage me, as he saw it would be to his glory and my happiness. At that time I had a dream or vision, representing to me as it were in miniature, the whole that has happened to me of any importance these thirty- five years ; yea, the very place I have been settled in these thirty years. I knew it at first sight, and I have done here what was re- presented to me then. I thought little of it then, though often of it since." so MR. craig's narrative. He embarked at Learn, June 10th, 1734, and was landed at New Castle upon Delaware, on the 17th of the succeeding August. " I escaped a very imminent danger, without any means but the kind hand of providence, being accidentally cast overboard in a dark and tempestuous night. I lay as on a bed of down on my back, on the raging wave which tossed me back on the ship's side, where I found hold and sprung aboard, and none aboard knew of it. When I came ashore I met with an old acquaintance. Rev. Benjamin Camp- bell, minister of New Castle. lie was then aguish, and died about two months after, greatly to my grief." He attended the Synod of Philadelphia, in September 1734, and delivered his letters of introduction to the members. " It gave me both grief and joy, to see that Synod ; grief, to see the small number and mean appearance ; joy, to see their mutual love and good order, and men of solid sense among them, and steady to the Presbyterian principles, and against all innovations, which began to appear at this Synod, from an overture read publicly by the Rev. Gilbert Tennant, concerning the receiving of candidates into the ministry, and communicants to the Lord's table — which he imbibed from one Mr. Frelingheusen, a low Dutch minister, which notions were then openly rejected, but afterwards prevailed so far as to decide the Synod, and put the Church of God here into the utmost confusion." After looking around, with much discouragement, for a proper location, he at length found " a home, a maintenance, a faithful and able friend, a sincere Christian, the Rev. John Thomp- son of Chesnut Level, whose praise is deservedly in the church. I taught school one year, and read two years more. Being invited by tlie Presbytery, I entered on trials, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Donegal, 1737. I was sent to a new settlement in Virginia of our own country people, near 300 miles distant. From the dream I had before I left Ireland, I knew it to be the plot in Christ's vineyard, where I was to labor. I must say I thought very little of it, which perhaps was my sin." " From them 1 had a call, and durst not refuse it, although I well saw it would be attended with many great difficulties. I accepted the call — the place was a new settlement, without a place of worship, or any church order, a wilderness in the proper sense, and a few Christian settlers in it, with numbers of the heathen travelling among us, but generally civil, though some persons were murdered ■ by them about that time. They march about in small compa'nies from fifteen to twenty, sometimes more or less. They must be supplied at any house they call at with victuals, or they become their own stewards and cooks, and spare nothing they choose to eat and driuk." This was previous to Braddock's war. The Act of Assembly forming Augusta County, passed 1738. The first court was held in 1745. Kentucky, and all Virginia claimed in the west, belonged to it. Mr. Craig goes on — " Wlien we were erected into a county and parish, and liad ministers inducted, of which we had two, they both in their turns Avrote to mc, making high demands. I, MR. craig's narrative. 31 gave no answer, but still observed our own rules when there were no particular laws against them." About the division of the Presbyterian Church he writes — " Having seen the conduct of ministers and people, when I was in Pennsylvania, that maintained these new doctrines, examined the controversy, had free conversations with both parties, applied to God for light and direction in the important concerns, which was done with time and deliberation, not instantly, I attained clearness of mind to join in the protest against these new and uncharitable opinions, and the ruin of Christ's Government. This gave offence to two or three families in my congregation, who then looked upon me as an opposer of the work of God, as they called it, an enemy to religion, and applied with all keenness to their holy and spiritual teachers, to come and preach, and convert the people of my charge, and free them from sin and Satan, and from me, a carnal wretch on whom they unhappily depended for instruction, to their souls* utter destruction. They flying speedily came and thundered their new gospel through every corner of my congregation ; and some of them had the assurance to come to my house, and demand a dismis- sion of some of my subscribers who had invited them, being tainted with these notions formerly. But Providence so ordered that affair, that they gained none of my people that I knew of; my moral character stood clear and good, even among them ; but they freely loaded me with these and such like, poor, blind, carnal, hypocritical, damned wretch ; and this given to my face by some of their minis- ters. And when I administered the Lord's Supper to my people, they mockingly said to their neighbors goin^ to it, what, are you going to Craig's frolic ? I thought God had given me a difficult plot to labor in, but I ever called upon him in trouble, and he never failed to help." Of the congregation Mr. Craig says — " It was large by compu- tation, about thirty miles in length, and near twenty in breadth. The people agreed to have two meeting-houses, expecting they would become two congregations, which is now come to pass. That part now called Tinkling Spring was most in numbers, and richer than the other, and forward, and had the public management of the affairs of the whole settlement : their leaders close-handed about pro- viding necessary things for pious and religious uses, and could not agree for several years upon a plan or manner, where or how to build their meeting-house, which gave me very great trouble to hold them together, their disputes ran so high. A difference happened between Colonel John Lewis and Colonel James Patton, both living in that congregation which was hurtful to the settlement, but especially to me. 1 could neither bring them to friendship with each other, or obtain both their friendships at once ever after. This continued for thirteen or fourteen years, till Colonel Patton was murdered by the Indians. At that time he was friendly with me. After his death, Colonel Lewis was friendly with me till he died. As to the other 32 MR. CRAIG S NARRATIVE. part of the congregation, now called Augusta, tlie people were fewer in numbers, and mucli lower as to their worldly circumstances, but a good-natured, prudent, governable people, and liberally be- stowed a part of what God gave them for religious and pious uses, and now enjoy the benefit ; always unanimous among themselves, loving and kind to me these thirty years, with whom I enjoyed the greatest satisfaction, and serve them with pleasure. I had no trouble with them about their meeting-house, but to moderate and direct them when they met. They readily fixed on the place, and ao-reed on the plan for building it, and contributed cheerfully money and labor to accomplish the work, all in the voluntary way, what every man pleased. "As to my private and domestic state of life when fixed in the con- gregation, I purchased a plantation and began to improve upon it : and June 11th, 1744, married a young gentlewoman of a good family and character, born and brought up in the same neighbor- hood where I was born, daughter of Mr. George Russel, by whom I had nine children. My first-born died October 4th, 1745, being four months and six days old : a great grief to us the parents, being left alone. God exercised me with trying dispensations in my family. He took my first child, and left my second ; he took the third and left the fourth ; took the fifth and left the sixth, and gave me then more without any further breach. The people of my charge were all new settlers and generally of low circumstances. There own necessities called for all their labors ; they could or did do little for my support, except a few, and consequently fell greatly in arrears." It appears to have been the habit of Mr. Craig to keep a regular account of all he received from his congregations, for whatever purpose paid into him : and in the final settlement was willing to count all receipts as part of his salary. " \Vhat made the times distressing and unhappy to all the frontiers, was the I'rench and Indian war, which lay heavy on us, in which I suifered a part as well as others. When General Braddock was de- feated and killed, our country was laid open to the enemy, our people were in dreadful confusion and discouraged to the highest degree. Some of the richer sort that could take some money Avith them to live upon, were for flying to a safer place of the country. My advice was then called for, which I gave, opposing that scheme as a scandal to our nation, falling below our brave ancestors, making ourselves a reproach among Virginians, a dishonor to our friends at home, an evidence of cowardice, want of faith, and a noble Christian dependence on God, as able to save and deliver from the heathen; it would be a lasting blot to our posterity." Mr. Craig urged the building forts in convenient neighborhoods, suffi- cient to hold twenty or thirty families, secure against small arms, and on alarms to flee to these places of refuge. One of which was to be the church. The proposition was acted upon very generally — " They required me to go before them in the work which I did EPITAPH ON MR. CRAIG. 33 cheerfully, tlinno;!! it cost me one-third of my estate. The people very readily followed, and my congregation in less than two months was well fortified." Let us walk around this house, and enjoy the beauty of the pros- pect. These remains of the fortifications in the Indian wars wasting away by the constant tread of the assembling congregations, are eloquent memorials of the early age of Augusta County. This old house has seen generations pass ; it has heard the sermons of the Virginia Synod in its youthful days. Could its walls re-echo the sentences that have been uttered here, what a series of sermons ! Its three pastors, for about a hundred years, taught from the same pulpit. Here the famous Waddell was taken under care of Hanover Presbytery, as candidate for the ministry, in 1760 : here the venerated Hoge was licensed in 1781 : and here the Rev. Archibald Alex- ander passed some of his trials, in preparation for the ministry. In no •other house in Virginia can such recollections be cherished as rise up around us here. Here were the teachings of the first settled minister in Virginia, and here have been heard the voices of the worthies of the Virginia Presbyterians for a century. Here has been treasured their testimony for God, to be heard again in the Judgment Day. Let us cross the turnpike, and, passing the parsonage, enter the " God's acre" — the old burying-ground where lie so many of the first settlers ; and, as at Opecquon, we mourn that so few of these mounds have inscriptions to tell us where those emigrants sleep. They are all around us, we call over their names, and no answer comes, even from a stone, to say, "we lie here." How short-lived is man and his unwritten, or his historic memory ! forming to-day a part of the life and activity of society, and to-morrow like a withered branch cast in the dust. We bless and praise the Lord for the gospel, and will hope tliat these withered branches shall, very many of them at least, be found grafted into the good olive tree, and partaking of its fatness on Mount Zion. But the congre- gation has not been forgetful of the graves of their three pastors, who, for nearly a century, were examples of patient labor of minis- ters, and the stability of the church. Look on this slab, with a head-stone, near the middle of the yard. On the stone is the short record, expressing volumes, "Erected by G. C, son to J. C." On the slab, " In memory of Rev. John Craig, D. D., commencer of the Presbyterial service in this place, Anuo Domini, 1740 ; and faithfully discharging his duty in the same, to April the 2ist, Anno Domini, 1774 : then departed this life with fifteen hours' atiliction from the hand of the great Creator, aged sixty-three years and four months. The church of Augusta, in expression of their gratitude to the memory of their late beloved pastor, (having obtained liberty of G. C.) paid the expense of this monument, 171*6." Now, let us turn towards the gate on the west end, and read on a white marble slab — " Sacred to the memory of Rev. Wm. Wilson, second pastor of Augusta church. Born Aug. 1st, 1751, died Dec. 1st, 18-35." A skctcli of his life will appear in a aubooqueat chapter. 3 84 TINKLING SPRING. Let US cro a little nearer the gate, and read upon the white mai'ble slab, " Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Conrad Speece, D. D., for more than twenty-two years pastor of Augusta church, born November 7th, 1776, died February 15th, 1836. He conse- crated a mind rich in genius and learning, to the service of his Saviour, in the great work of the gospel ministry ; and here sleeps with his people, till they shall stand before the Judgment-seat of Christ. Reader — If in his life he tried in vain to save, hear him at last, ! hear him from the grave. This stone is erected in token of aifection that can know no end." This man could write better than most of his contemporaries, and could preach better than he could Avrite. Feasted by the poetic labors of others, he himself indited a hymn to be sung while the English language praises God. Of humble origin, he was raised by the smiles of the Lord to stand in the valley, with such men as Samuel Brown, G. A. Baxter, and Moses Hoge, and form one of the triad at Hampden Sidney,- with Rice and Alexander, His prolific pen contributed abundantly to the three octavo periodicals in his native State, devoted to reli- gion and morals, and sent contributions to the Connecticut Evan- gelical Magazine. With Dr. Baxter, he laid down in the Assembly, in the case of Daniel Bourne, his neighbor, the platform of the southern churches on slavery. Beloved by his brethren in the ministry, in general, and feared by some in particular ; a systematic pastor and punctual presbyter ; he left productions of his pen, and incidents in his life, sufficient to form a volume worthy of preserva- tion. His merits and productions cannot be discussed in this place, they must have their appropriate positions among his bretliren. When another century is passed, may it be found that this congre- gation has been served as constantly by ministers as few in number, and equal in ability and spiritual qualifications, to these that lie gathered with their people. And may the present pastor fill his lull measure of excellence and service, in honor of his birth-place and his parents. CHAPTER IIL TINKLING SPRING. Going down from the splendid prospect on Rockfish Gap, to the edge of the "lake country," as the Sage of Monticello termed it, you enter the bounds of the oldest congregation in Augusta County, one that contends with Opecquon for the honor of being the first in the great valley, and the first in the State after the days of Ma- kemie, — the congregation of the Triple Forks of the Shenandoah, which formerly stretched across the valley from this Gap to the Ridge, in the western horizon. You are, too, in the bounds of that division of the congregation named Tinkling Spring, which assem- bled to worship God in the southern part of the settlement, the old TINKLING SPRING CHURCH. 35 stone clnircTi boinpj the place for that part that lay along the track of the paved road. Ministers then were few, and men went far to worship ; eight or ten miles were an ordinary ride or walk, to the house of God, on a Sabbath morning. Staunton, in its early days, belonged to Tinkling Spring congregation; and Col. Lewis, the first settler on Lewis's Creek, and John Preston, "the shipmaster of Dublin," were among the regular worshippers. The road from the Gap to Staunton, at first passed near the church. The travelled road now leaves the church some two miles to the south. About three miles from Waynesborough, and six from the village of Asylums, diverging from the turnpike that winds its way among scenery that irresistibly invites your gaze, if you love mountains, you will find upon a hill-side, half concealed by forest trees, the house of worship. To this hill and sweetly flowing spring come in crowds on the Sabbath, the young men and maidens with the old men and matrons, the place w^here their great-grand-fathers emigrating from the Presbyterian country in the north of Ireland, with their families, their politics, and their religion, came regularly for the services of the sanctuary. There, in a log building finished ofl' by the widow of John Preston, John Craig, the first settled Pres- byterian minister in Virginia, after the days of Makemie, preached the gospel for many years. The southern part of the congregation of the Triple Forks, had some difficulty in deciding on the place for their church building, and for a time worshipped in different parts at stands, or tents. Mr. Craig intimates that the rivalry of some individuals, Cols. Lewis and Patton, hindered the congregation in their choice. Tradition says that he himself was a partizan in selecting the site. The larger portion of the southern section of the congregation chose this hill on account of its central position, and the refreshing spring that gushed forth with a peculiar sound — and took the name of Tinkling Spring. Mr. Craig preferred a situ- ation more northwardly, near the residence of James Pilson, and appealing to the old gentleman one day in expectation that he would be favorable to the location nearest his dwelling, received for a re- ply — that the Tinkling Spring was best for the whole southern part of the congregation — that a more northern locality would give the northern part two places of worship, and the centre one, and the southern part none. "Well, well," said the disappointed pastor — " are you against me too, Jimmy ? Well, I am resolved that none of that water shall ever tinkle down my throat." He kept his word. Like the leading men of his charge, or more properly like all his charge, he was a persevering man ; and while his congregation quenched their thirst in full draughts, he only moistened his lips, and that but seldom. This congregation was generally with their first pastor, on the "old side," or with the protectors. The neighboring congregaiion, New Providence, was generally of the "new side." There might have been, and probably were for a few years, some heurt-bundngs confined to a few members. The two congregations have, from time 36 COLONEL JOHN LEWIS. that the present families know not •ohen it was otherwise, been on terms of strictest friendship. Had memorials of the instances of personal piety in each congrej^ation been preserved, the Christian public might have received edification equally affecting from among the children of the old side and of the new. The divisions could ncA'er be distinctly marked in the congregations, for any length of lime, any farther than accidental circumstances made a perceptible difference in the habits of neighborhoods. All through the valley were families more strict in their attention to the education of their children in ways of piety than others, more careful to devote them to God in a way to produce a lasting impression. In the various Indian wars and in the revolutions this congrega- tion showed its patriotism, and sent forth fathers and sons to meet the enemy in battle. Some of the leading military men in the ex- pedition against the Indians were from this congregation. The Lewis family were famous. Charles A. Stuart, late of Greenbrier, son of John Stuart, who was in the battle of Point Pleasant, tells us that his mother was a Lewis, a grand-daughter of the emigrant John Lewis. On his authority we are informed that John Lewis and Mar- garet Linn came from Ireland — " but being Presbyterians, were probably of Scottish origin. John Lewis was advantageously a ten- ant under a Catholic landlord, and for his skill, industry, and fidelity, had the promise of continuance at pleasure. The promise was vio- lated on application for the same place by a Catholic. Upon Lewis's refusal to give immediate possession, his landlord unlawfully under- took by force to oust him. Resistance, of course, followed. In the affray, Charles, (or perhaps Samuel), a brother to John, an officer in the king's service, and then sick at John's house, was killed. This last act excited John to the utmost pitch of fury, in which he slew one or two of the assailants, and escaping, fled to Portugal. Hav- ing remained there two or three years, he privately made arrange- ments for the removal of his family to America, where he and they were soon reunited. He then came to this part of the country, and settled in what is called Beverly Manor. His first encampment (for so it may be called, although he built a cabin), was on the bank of Middle, then Carthrae's river, not four hundred yards from a house now occupied by Charles A. Stuart. Thence he removed to Lewis's Creek, settled on the tract of land now belonging to the heirs of llobert McCullough, and there built the old stone house, which is still standing, and is probably by far the oldest house in the country. He was the founder of the town of Staunton. This is also in Beverly Manor. He there bred up his family, consisting of four sons and one daughter. His sons were Thomas, William, Andrew, and Charles. John, of the Warm Springs, was the son of Thomas, the surveyor of Augusta, when Augusta extended to the Mississippi river." All the sons of Col. John Lewis were the parents of a numerous pro- geny. Andrew Lewis, who was a man of vast energies, both physi- cal and moral, was the commandant of the southern division of Lord Dunmore's army against the Shawanees, and repulsed the In- COL. JAMES PATTON — JOHN PRESTON. 37 dians at Point Pleasant, in Oct., 1774. In the very front of tliis battle, bis brotbcr Col. Cbarlcs Lewis, sealed bis destiny in blood, leaving a name consecrated amongst the dearest and sweetest remem- brance of thousands who survive him. Of the 100,000 acres of land said to have been granted to John Lewis, I have no knowledge ; but presume that the grant alluded to, is that which was made to the Greenbrier Company, of which he and his son Andrew were members, and the cflBcient agents." — William was active in the French and Indi;m wars — was an officer in the revolution, in which he lost one son in battle, and had one maimed for life. When the rumor came that Tarlton was approaching the valley, the father was confined by sickness — the mother, with the spirit that dwelt in the breasts of hundreds of mothers in the valley, sent her three sons of 17, 15, 13 years — saying, go my children, I devote you all to my country. — The valley-woman knew the distresses of war ; in their childhood, they had known the miseries of savage depredations ; and loving their children they preferred an honorable death in the battle-field, to the disgraceful sufferings and death by marauding parties, and the tomahawk of the savage. When a call was made for militia to aid General Green against Cornwallis, Tinkling Spring sent her sons. Waddell, their minister, addressed to the soldiers at Midway, the parting sermon. In the battle at Guilford Courthouse, these men were found in the hottest of the fight. Some were among the slain. Some brought away deep w^ounds from sabre cuts; and b* re the scars through a long life, protracted in some cases to more than fourscore years. Col. James Patton came from Donegal, a man of property, the commander and owner of a merchant ship. He obtained from the Governor of Virginia, a grant for 120,000 acres of land in the val- ley for himself and his associates. His residence was on the south fork of Shenandoah. He took up land on the Alleghanies, in Mont- gomery county, and was killed by the Indians, in one of their plun- dering incursions, while he was on a visit to that beautiful country in 1753. The Indians came upon him suddenly at Smithfield. John Preston, a shipmaster in Dublin, married a sister of Col. James Patton ; Avas not successful in his business in Ireland, parti- cularly on account of his religious opinions ; came with Col. Patton and resided for a time at Spring Hill, afterAvards occupied by Dr. Waddell ; and about the year 1743, purchased and occupied a tract near Staunton, lately occupied by General Baldwin. Here he soon died — leaving a widow and five children, all born in Ireland but one. His eldest daughter married Robert Breckcnridge, of Botetourt — the grandfather of those ministers, llobert and John, whose acts have been inwoven with the history of the Presbyterian Church since about 1830. The second married llev. John Brown, pastor of New Providence and Timber Ridge, whose descendants have been famous in Kentucky. The third cliild, William, was the father of a numerous family, male and female, that have not been unknown in Virginia. The fourth married Francis Smith, and the fifth John S8 REV. JOHN A. VANLEAR. Howard, and tlieir descondants are numerous in Kentucky and the south-western States. Devoutly attached to the Presbyterian Church famed for its vigorous contests for liberty in Scotland, and Ireland, and America ; a firm believer in the Calvinistic creed long and well tried as the creed to bear up men in great emergencies ; conscien- tious in his personal religion, estimating the gospel and its advan- tages to man, a mortal and immortal creature, as beyond all price ; devoutly thanking God, before his death, that an orthodox minister was connected with Kis family, the pastor of a congregation in the wilderness ; though cut oif in a few years, he impressed a character that has been handed down from generation to generation, by his descendants, for a hundred years, that speaks beyond all argumen- tation or praise the value of the principles on which the early settlers of the valley built up their society. You may find his son-in-law the first minister of New Providence, the traces of whose labors remain till this day : among his descendants you may find persons in all the varied stations of honest and honorable society, the mountain farmer, the minister of the gospel, the lawyer, the Go- vernor ; you may find near Staunton the vale in which he lived and left his widow, you may see here the spot where he worshipped in the plainness and simplicity of the Presbyterian forms, you look to that yard where his ashes rest, and you find no monument inscribed John Preston. The Rev. John A. Vanlear that died pastor of Mossy Creek, a part of the ancient bounds of the Triple Forks of Shenandoah, preserved some memoranda of the Vanlear family. John Vanlear, a pious man and thorough Presbyterian, a merchant, emigrated from Holland and settled in Philadelphia. He was one of the company that built the first house of worship for Presbyterians in the city. Feeling the necessity of a house, he willingly exerted himself in the work of collecting funds. Those more nearly inter- ested not being able to raise suificient money, he applied to a particular friend, a Quakei*, for aid — "Well, friend John," said the Quaker — " thee art engaged in a good cause. I wish thee success. I can't subscribe to thy paper. But if thee will send to my store, thee shall have nails to do the whole building." The house was built on the north-west corner of Chestnut and Second streets. This man died in Philadelphia, leaving one son, who removed to Lancaster. He left several sons, two of whom removed to Williams- port, in Maryland, and its vicinity, and one to Christian's Creek, in Augusta County, about the year 1752. This man left two sons and one daughter ; one of the sons, Jacob, lived and died on the place settled by his father. His widow survived him many years, and died at the age of nearly one hundred ; a woman of wonderful memory, the relator of many of the traditions respecting the pioneers of the valley. This man left a son on the same place, many years an elder in the Tinkling Spring church. The other son, John, born in Lancaster about 1745, and seven years old when his father removed to Christian's Creek, married a Miss Allison, in Augusta JOHN M'CUE — JAMES C. WILLSON. 39 County, and removed to Montgomery about the time of the revo- lutionary war, and settled on the north fork of Roanoke, ten miles from Christiansburg, and four from Blacksburg. He served several campaigns during the war, and was present at the siege of York, and the capture of Cornwallis. At the first organization of a church in Montgomery County, he was chosen elder, and officiated till upwards of eighty years of age. Father of ten children, three sons and seven daughters ; he trained them up in the old fashioned way of keeping the Sabbath, and saw them all members of the church ; two of his sons elders, and one a minister of the gospel, (the collector of these memoranda), and died at the advanced age of eighty-eight, in the year 1833. " The Bible, and Shorter Catechism, and a sermon from Davies or Burder, on every Sabbath" — says his son, was the order of his house. Other genealogies of equal or greater interest may probably come to light respecting the pious men and women of Tinkling Spring. Let their descendants look for them. Now let us visit the grave-yard to the west of the church, sur- rounded by a stone wall, in shape of a section of a horse-shoe, divided at the toe. Let us enter by this gate on the south side nearest the church, and before we go towards the south-west end, we will pause a moment to read the white marble slab to the memory of the third pastor, John M'Cue. Craig, the first pastor, lies near Augusta church ; Waddell, in Louisa, under an apple-tree, in a place chosen by himself, near where the Counties of Orange, Albemarle, and Louisa meet : M'Cue was suddenly removed Sept. 20th, 1818, in the 66th year of his age. His congregation assembled for worship on the Sabbath morning. His family preceded him a little on their way to the house of God. After a time a messenger in- formed the gathered people that his lifeless corpse had been found near his own gate. Whether he had fallen from paralysis, or the restiveness of his horse, can never be known. There was no appear- ance of a struggle after his fall. His ministry extended over 27 years. A little farther west, and we shall see the marble slab that covers the fourth pastor, James C. Willson, who having served this church 21 years, was suddenly called away on the 10th of January, 1840. He had devoted that day to praying for and writing to an absent son, whom he had hoped to see engaged in the ministry of the gospel. Stepping into the post-office in apparently usual health, he sat down and gasped, and never moved again. No medical effort could restore the lost pulse. The prayers and tears of the father were a memorial before God. His son followed the father in about two years, giving evidence of acceptance with God. The last prayers of the father were answered in the last hours of the child. These two slabs are a memorial to all pastors of Tinkling Spring — '• What thy hand findeth to do, do with all thy might" — ''in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Come down now to the south-west end. In this irregular piece of ground, surrounded on three sides by a stone wall, full of mounds, 40 PRESBYTERY OF HANOVER. "but not a sinclo inscription, — here is the resting place of the ashes of the ancestors of many of the families in Virginia and Kentncky, men whose names are Avoven by their descendants in the web of political and religious courts, in colors too vivid to be unnoticed or mistaken. Here are the sepulchres of men that turned the wilder- ness into habitations, and after asf;embling on that hillside to worship the God of their fathers, are gathered here to wait the coming of the Son of God, when the graves shall give up their dead. It was a good thought in the conception, and will he patriotic in the execu- tion to raise here in the midst of these crowded mounds, a pillar as simple and unadorned as the manners of that age, and as beautiful and enduring in its simplicity, as the principles that peopled and have governed this valley, inscribed — ^ Sacred to the Memory OF THE Emigrants to this Valley. CHAPTER IV. the presbytery of HANOVER — FROM ITS FORMATION TO ITS REMODELLING. The history of the Presbytery of Hanover, the mother of Pres- hyteries in the South and West, embraces facts in church govern- ment, church extension, church discipline, missionary eiforts and success, biography of ministers, and members of the church, male and female, in difierent departments of life, of thrilling interest and in abundance to fill more than one volume. The facts and the actors Avill be found in any fair record of the memorable things in the Presbyterian Church, in the States of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Ohio, in all of which, Hanover Presbytery had an existence for a series of years. Samuel Da vies may be called the father of Hanover Presbytery, though not by any means the founder of Presbyterianism in Vir- ginia. And in giving a notice of its members, he naturally stands lirst upon the list of worthies. A memoir of him extending over more than one hundred and fifty large octavo pages, more than fifty of which are in very small print, has been given in the 1st vol. of the Sketches of Virginia. In that memoir, many popular errors respecting that great and good man, widely circulated Avith some editions of his sermons, are corrected from authentic and original sources of information. Many of his actions are recorded in the following pages. EEV. JONATHAN EDWARDS. 41 An effort to remove Rev. Jonathan Edivards to Virginia. Hanover, July 4th, 1751. Rev. and very Dear Brother — I never received any information of the kind in my life, that afforded me so many anxious thoughts, as yours concerning the great Mr. Edwards. It has employed my waking hours, and even mingled with my midnight dreams. The main cause of my anxiety, was, the delay of your letter, which I did not receive till about three weeks ago, when I was in Lunenburg, about one hundred and thirty miles from home. This made me afraid lest Mr. Edwards had settled some where else, being weary of vfaiting for the invitation from Virginia. Should this be the unhappy case, and should the obligation to his new people be deemed undissolvable, I shall look upon it as a severe judgment of incensed heaven on this wretched colony. What shall I say? I am lost in perplexities at the thought. I assure myself, dear sir, of your most zealous concurrence to persuade him to Virginia. Do not send him a cold, paper message, but go to him yourself in person. If he be not as yet engaged to any place, I depend upon your word, and "make no doubt but he will come." If he is engaged, I hope he may be regularly dismissed upon a case of so great importance. Of all the men I know in America, he appears to me the most fit for this place ; and if he could be obtained on no other condition, I would cheerfully resign him my place, and cast myself into the wide world once more. Fiery, superficial ministers, will never do in these parts : They might do good, but they would do much more harm. We need the deep judgment and calm temper of Mr. Edwards among us. Even the dissenters here, have the nicest taste of' almost every cono-re- gation I know, and cannot put up with even the truths of the gospel in an injudicious form. The enemies are watchful, and some of them crafty, and raise a prodigious clamor about raving, injudicious preaching. Mr. Edwards would suit them both. Our liberties, too, are precarious, and methods are used to restrain them. There is nobody here Avho is known in Great Britain, whose representation might have some weight to counter-balance that of the Council ; and on this account we greatly need Mr. Edwards, whose character there, especially in Scotland, would have considerable influence. He might also, as you observe, do much good by keepino- an academy ; and which is of greater importance than all, might be the ha})py instrument of turning many to righteousness. As soon as I returned from Lunenburg, I wrote to the elders in the upper part of my congregation, (which I want to cast ofl' when they have an opportunity of obtaining a minister), urging them to take pains with the people of their respective quarters, to obtain subscriptions for Mr. Edwards' maintenance ; and though they had no knowledge of him, but by my recommendation, they made up about .£80 of our currency, which is about jttiO or .£(J5 sterling ; 42 DAVIES' LETTER. and it is the general opinion of the people, that if Mr. Edwards does in any measure answer the character I have given him, (and I doubt not but he will), they can easily afford him £100 per annum. Sundry of them did actually plead their want of acquaintance with him as the reason of their backwardness ; and I could not expect it would be otherwise ; and others might have had that as a secret reason, who did not publicly mention it. The people about the lower meeting-house, which is my more immediate charge, assure me they will contribute towards the expenses of his first year's settlement ; and the people in Lunenburg told me they would cheer- fully subscribe towards his maintenance the first year, should he settle anywhere in Virginia ; and I doubt not but that all the dissenting congregations of Virginia will do the same, so that I believe Mr. Edwards may safely depend on £30 or <£40 the first year, besides his annual salary. This, however, I am certain of, that he has the prospect of a comfortable livelihood ; and indeed, should I ensnare him into poverty designedly, I sliould censure myself as the basest of mankind. My salary at present is about £100, and notwithstanding £20 or £30 peculiar expenses, I find I can make a shift to live upon it. I could not content myself with following your advice, and only writing to Mr. Edwards ; and therefore the people have sent the bearer, a worthy youth who has been under my tuition for some time, to wait on him with their invitation. He has lived so long here, and IS so perfectly acquainted with affairs, that he can inform you and Mr. Edwards of them as well as myself. And now, sir, I shall answer the other part of your letter. I send you herewith a narrative of religion here. As I have no correspondence with any of the Boston ministers, I have been obliged to impose upon you the trouble of sending it to the press, if you think it worth while. I beseech you, dear sir, to make such corrections as you and Mr. Edwards shall think fit, and be not afraid of offending me by so doing, for I was designedly careless in writing it, as I knew it would .pass through your hands. I would have you particularly consider the expediency of publishing the postscript and the poetical lines on Mr. Blair. I am impatient, sir, to see your books ; and wish you would inform me which way I shall send the price of them to the printer, and order them to be conveyed by water, to the care of Mr. John Holt, merchant in Williamsburg, or to Col. John Hunter, merchant in Hampton, as may be most convenient. I have dropped the thoughts of my intended treatise on the Morality of Gospel-holiness, till I have more leisure, and a larger acquaint- ance with divinity ; but am now and then collecting materials for it. I believe the weakest of the congregations in this colony, could afford a minister £60 or £70 yearly salary ; and as to itinerants, the usual rule is, twenty or thirty shillings a Sunday. As far as I know them, the (people) here are in general pretty generous. This colony is very healthy, except on rivers' sides, and "' will suit very TO DR. BELLANET. 43 well with the constitution of New England men." Dear sir, if Mr. Edwards fail, shall I prevail with you to come yourself, at least to pay us a transient visit ? ! how would it rejoice my soul to see you ! Whenever I write to you, I am in such a hurry, that I am appre- hensive my letters afford you a very mean idea of my intellectual abilities ; but as you do not wrong me in it, I shall be quite easy unless you think I make you such wretched returns as that my correspondence is insufferable. Pray for me, and write to me as often as you can. I am, sir, yours in the tenderest bonds, Samuel Davies. Rev. Mr. Joseph Bellaney. P. S. You may insert or omit the marginal note in page 28 of the narrative, as your prudence directs. The contents are un- doubtedly true, but I am afraid will seem incredible. July 13th. — I did not receive the complete subscription for Mr. Edwards till yesterday, which happily exceeds my expectation. It amounts to about X97, which is near £S0 sterling. This will undoubtedly be a sufficient maintenance. You will see by the sub- scription paper, how many dissenting families there are in the least half of my congregation, for the subscribers are chiefly heads of families. Oh, dear sir, let me renew my importunities with you to exert all your influence in our behalf with Mr. Edwards. Though the people seem eager for him above all men on earth, yet they request you by me, in case this attempt fails, to endeavor to send some other to settle among them : (for they have no prospect of relief these sundry years from Presbytery), but let him be a popular preacher, of ready utterance, good delivery, solid judgment, free from enthusiastical freaks, and of ardent zeal ; for I am afraid they will accept of none other, and I would not have any sent here that might be unacceptable. You or Mr. Edwards are the only men they could make an implicit venture upon. I am with the warmest emotions of heart, dear sir. Your most affectionate brother, S. D. In a letter to Mr. Erskine — July 7th, 1752 — Mr. Edwards, among many other things, says — " I was in the latter part of the last sum- mer applied to, with much earnestness and importunity, by some of the people of Virginia, to come and settle among them, in the work of the ministry ; who subscribed handsomely for my encouragement and support, and sent a messenger to me with their request and subscriptions ; but I was installed at Stockbridge before the mes- senger came. Jonathan Edwards. At a meeting of the Synod of New York, Sept. 3d, 1755, " a petition was brought into the Synod, setting forth the necessity of 44 HANOVER PRESBYTERY. erectins^ a new Presbytery in Virginia : the Synod therefore appoint the Rev. Samuel Davies, John To(hl, Alexander Craighead, Robert Henry, and John Wright, and John Brown, to be a Presbytery under the name of the Presbytery of Hanover : and that their first meeting shall be in Hanover, on the first Wednesday of December next ; and that Mr. Davies open the Presbytery by a sermon ; and that any of Our members settling to the southward and westward of Mr. Hogg'? congregation, shall have liberty to join the Presbytery of Hanover." The records of the first meeting of the Presbytery are short — " Hanover, December 3d. The Presbytery of Hanover met ac- cording to the above constitution and appointment. Mr. Davies, Moderator, and Mr. Todd, Clerk. Ubi post preces sederunt, ^Messrs. Samuel Davies, Robert Henry, John BroAvn, and John Todd, min- isters. Elders, Samuel Morris, Alexander Joice, John Molley. Messrs. Craighead and Wright, absent. Mr. Davies being sick, requested Mr. Todd to preach for him, and accordingly the Pres- b^'^tcry was opened by him., with a sermon from Zachariah the 4th, 7th, (Who art thou, great mountain ? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain ; and he shall bring forth the head-stone thereof with shoutings, crying grace, grace unto it). The Synod of New York having appointed that a day of fasting and prayer be held in all the congregations within their bounds, on account of the present critical and alarming state of Great Britain, and the British plan- tations in America ; and having left it to the discretion of each Presbytery to determine the particular day, this Presbytery, there- fore, appoint next New Year's day to be set apart for that purpose ; because of the retrospect it may have to the important transactions of last year ; the prospect it may bear to the ensuing year which may be equally interesting and important ; and that we may have the encouragement of joining, in our united requests, to the throne of grace, with the Presbytery of New Castle, who have appointed the same day. The Presbytery appoint Mr. Brown to give timely notice hereof to Mr. Craighead, and Mr. Henry to do the same to Mr. Wright. The Synod having recommended to all the congre- gations within their bounds, to raise a collection for the college of New Jersey, the Presbytery having taken the affair under consi- deration judge, that considering the present impoverished state of the colony in general, and of our congregation in particular, such a proposal would be quite impracticable ; and appoint that the mem- bers that attend the Synod next year report the same to the Synod. A petition directed to Mr. Davies and Mr. Todd, from people living near the mountain in Albemarle, near Wood's Gap, was referred by them to the Presbytery, representing their destitute circumstances, in the want of gospel ordinances, anil requesting some supplies from us : — the Presbytery therefore appoint the Rev. Samuel Davits to preach there on the 2d Sabbath in March next ; and that Mr. Brown desire some of the people to appoint the place of meeting, to be out of the bounds of Mr. Black's congregation, at some conve- KEV. JOHN TODD. 45 nient place. The Presbytery appoint Mr. John Todd to be their constant clerk. Adjourned till the Thursday of the second Sab- bath of March next, to meet at Providence, and appoint that Mr. Henry open the Presbytery by a sermon. Concluded with prayer. y 3Iemhers of Hanover Presbytery. f John Todd, the first minister introduced by Mr. Davies to ' share his labors, was a graduate of the college at New Jersey, in 1749, a member of the second class admitted to a degree. He was licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, in 1750. On repre- sentation, by Mr. Davies, of the desolations and encouraging pros- pects in the southern colonies, made to the Synod of New York in the spring of 1750 — " the Synod do recommend to the Presbytery of New Brunswick to endeavor to prevail with Mr. John Todd, upon his being licensed to take a journey thither." Report was made to the Synod in the fall of the year : it appears — " that Mr. Todd is licensed, and is preparing speedily to go." On reaching Virginia, he preached in the houses licensed for Mr. Davies, and gave great satisfaction. The plan *.o locate him in Prince Edward or Charlotte Counties, was abandoned principally on account of objections made by the General Court to licensing more houses in addition to the seven already licensed for Mr. Davies, and the dissenting people. By a change of plan, Mr. Todd was invited to occuj^y four of the places licensed for Mr. Davies ; and eiforts were made to obtain other preachers for the vacancies south of James river, and thus avoid the charge of itinerancy, an offence in the view of the council. In the year 1751, Mr. Todd was ordained by the New Brunswick Presbytery ; and obtained from the General Coui't the license demanded by the law. The following is a copy. Wednesday, April 22d, 1752. Present — the Governor Wm. Fairfax, Thomas Nelson, John Blair, Philip Grymes, Wm. Nelson, Esqrs., Peyton Randolph. Wm. Dawson, D. D., Richard Corbin, John Lewis, Philip Ludwell, Esqrs. John Todd, a dissenting minister, this day in court took the oath appointed by the Act of Parliament, to be taken instead of the oath of allegiance, and supremacy, and the abrogation oath, and sub- scribed the last mentioned oath, and repeated and subscribed the test. And thereupon, on his motion, he is allowed to otficiate as an assistant to Samuel Davies, a dissenting minister, in such places as are already licensed by this court for meeting of dissenters. The jealousy of the court led to an arrangement which proved very agreeable to the seven congregations, as it left tlieai all in 46 REV. JOHN TODD. connection witli Mr. Davies ; and equally pleasing to Mr. Davies, as it gave him more frequent opportunities for those missionary excursions in which he delighted, the influence of which is felt to this day ; and no less acceptable to Mr. Todd, who enjoyed the experience and counsel of his friend, with the privilege of missionary excursions. The sermon preached by Mr. Davies at the installation of Mr. Todd, on the 12th of November, 1752, was, at the earnest request of the hearers, published, after being enlarged, with an appendix annexed. A dedication — " To the Rev. Clergy of the Established church of Virginia" — was prefixed, under the date of Jan. 9th, 1753. The dissenters in England procured a republication of this pamphlet while Mr. Davies was on his mission to Great Britain in the year 1754, as an expression of their high approbation of the production and its author. Of the few documents that remain respecting Mr. Todd, the following show us his character and course of action. From a letter to Mr, Whitefield, June 26, 1755, " The impressions of the day you preached last here, at my meeting-house, can, I believe, never wear out of my mind ; never did I feel any thing of the kind more distressing than to part with you, and that not merely for my own sake, but that of the multitudes, that stood longing to hear more of the news of salvation from you. I still have the lively image of the people of God drowned in tears, multitudes of hardy gentlemen, that perhaps never wept for their poor souls before, standing aghast, — all with signs of eagerness to attend to wliat they heard, and their significant tears, expressive of the sorrow of their hearts, that they had so long neglected their souls. I returned home like one that had sustained some amazing loss: and that I might con- tribute more than ever to the salvation of perishing multitudes amongst us, I resolved I would labor to obtain and exert more of that sound fire which the God of all grace had so abundantly bestowed upon you for the good of mankind. To the praise of rich grace be it spoken, I have had the comfort of many solemn Sab- baths since I saw you, when I am persuaded, the power of God has attended his word, for sundry weeks together ; and in my auditory which was more crowded through your means than it had been before, I could scarce see an individual whose countenance did not indicate the concern of their souls about eternal things. And blessed be God, those appearances are not yet wholly fled from our assembly. I was by order of Presbytery to attend the installation of Mr. Henry, the 4th of the month, at Lunenburg, about a hundred miles south-west of this place ; and we administered the sacramenc of tue Lord's supper the Sabbath following. We preached Thurs- day, Friday, Saturday, Sabbath, and Monday. There was com- fortable evidence of the power of God Avith us every day ; believers were more quickened, and sinners were much alarmed. Many or" them talked with Mr. Henry and me with great desire to know what REV. JOHN TODD. 47 they should do to be saved, One I remember came to me trembling and astonished, the nearest image I ever saw of the trembling jailor crying — " What shall I do to get an interest in Christ." In my return home, I made an excursion to preach to a number of people ■who had never before heard a " iVew Light,'' as they call me. I hope the word of God was attended with divine power to many of their hearts." Mr. Davies, in a letter bearing date Hanover, July 14th, 1756, says — "Last Sunday I had a sacrament, assisted by my good brother and next neighbor, Mr. Todd. It was a time of unusual anxiety to me. I hope it was a refreshing time to some hungry souls. I had the pleasure of seeing the table of the Lord adorned with about forty-four black faces." After the removal of Mr. Davies to Princeton, Mr. Todd was for many years the leading man in the Presbytery, east of the Blue Ridge. To him the vacancies looked for counsel and assistance in obtaining ministers. During the revolution he was a staunch whig. In the proceedings of Hanover Presbytery, on the subject of reli- gious liberty, he took an active part : his name is appended to some important papers. (See vol. 1st of Sketches.) Mr. Todd felt and expressed great interest in the early emigration to Kentucky. Some of his kindred were among the early adven- turers ; and his old friend and co-laborer, David Rice, had cast his lot among the inhabitants of that fertile region. He used all his influence in conjunction with others to obtain from the Virginia Legislature, a charter for a college. His nephew. Col. John Todd, a member of the Legislature from Fayette County, and the Honor- able Caleb Wallace, from Lincoln, took the lead in this matter. As early as 1780, escheated lands were given for this purpose. In 1783, trustees were incorporated. The escheated lands granted amounted to 20,000 acres. The Board of Trustees met in Nov. 1783, in Lincoln, and chose Rev. David Rice, chairman. The Seminary, called the Transylvania Seminary, was opened at the house of Mr. Rice, Feb. 1785. This seminary passed from the hands of the original trustees. Mr. Todd, to encourage the culti- vation of literature and theology in the growing West, was the means of sending a small, but valuable library and an apparatus across the Alleghany, for the advantage of this seminary — but not as a donation to it. Mr. Todd superintended a classical school for many years. Mr. Davies, while in Virginia, greatly encouraged the etiurt to educate youth with the hope of supplying the church with necessary min- isters. One of his assistants was James Waddell, who read divinity with Mr. Davies while thus engaged. By correspondence with Dr. Gordon, of London, he obtained as we are told by Mr. Davidson, in his history of Kentucky, for the use of the young men at his school, a library and apparatus to the amount of i>80, 2s. 6d., including cost of transportation. Mr. Todd's school declined with his advancing years. He could find no fit successor. The semi- 48 REV. JOHN TODD. naries at Hampden Sidney, and Lexington, were under the care of the Presbytery of Hanover, and received general patronage ; and had procured each a small library. With the consent of Dr. Gordon, Mr. Todd placed the library in his possession in the hands of his friend, David Rice, for the use of students of theology in Kentucky, under the care of the Presbytery of Transylvania. These volumes and apparatus were by that Presbytery delivered to the trustees of the Kentucky Academy, incorporated in 1794. This academy was finally merged in the Transylvania University. The principal donor to the library for Mr. Todd, which became the nucleus of the library of Transylvania University, was the well known benevolent merchant of London, John Thorton. The others were Dr. Gordon^' Rev. Mr. Fowle, Messrs. Fuller, Samuel and Thomas Stratton, Charles Jerdein, David Jennings, Jonathan Bade, Joseph Ainsley, and John Field, of Thames Street. The name of Todd is deservedly honored in Kentucky, both in church and State. In the latter part of his life, Mr. Todd was very imfirm, and for many years unable to perform fully the ministerial services of his own particular charge ; and his great labors in early life made him prematurely old. His missionary excursions were all laid aside. His attendance on the judicatories of the church became irregular. The young brethren south side of James river, uttered suspicions that Waddell and Todd had relaxed somewhat of their spiritual religion in its visible exercise, if not in its deep principle ; this created in the breasts of the brethren north of the river, a coldness towards the brethren they esteemed rash. The facts involved in this coldness and these suspicions, were talked over in Presbytery, repeatedly ; and some letters passed between the parties, not de- signed for the public eye. In the course of time it became generally understood that Mr. Waddell's ideas of education, and his relaxing in his ministerial eflbrts, as also the causes of Mr. Todd's course, had been much misunderstood. Rev. J. B. Smith, on his return from Philadelphia, with a silk velvet vest and gold watch, called on Mr. Waddell, and passed the night ; receiving all the attentions of that hospitable gentleman. Before parting, Waddell, in his inimi- table manner, gently called the attention of Smith, who had been grieved at Waddell's worldliness in education, to the possibility that "the pride of life" might be found in a gold watch-chain, and elegant carriage, and velvet vest. Smith felt the rebuke, both iu its justness and inimitable manner. The controversy died away. There was one report in circulation about Mr. Todd, which he thought called for his special attention, that he had so relaxed discipline, that he had admitted a gambler to the Lord's table. To AVJpe away this aspersion, in his estimation as base as false, he attended the Presbytery in the Cove congregation, Albemarle, July, 1798. Having fully cleared himself from the stains of such a report, he set out for home on Saturday, the 27th. Whether, from the clumsiness consequent on his infirmities, or in a fit of apoplexy, is unknown ; as he was alone, and was fond of riding a spirited ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD — ROBERT HENRY. 49 horse, he wag found in the road lifeless. Rev. William Williamson, in his journal, after mentioning that he had dined with Rev. Messrs. Todd and Blair, at the house of Rev. Mr. Irvin, says — Saturday, July 27, "I proceeded onwards to my meeting, at Mountain Plains; on the road was informed of the death of Mr. Todd, — that he was found on the road. Went on and saw him. with whom I had dined, well the day hefore, now in eternity. Alarming dispensation. May it be impressed on my mind, and speak to my heart louder than ten thousand thunders. Went to meeting, spoke from Amos 4th, 12th : 'Prepare to meet thy God, Israel.' " Mr. Todd preached about forty-two years in Virginia. A son bearing his name, was licensed by Hanover Presbytery, at the Cove, Sept. 13th, 1800, preaching his first sermon where his father preached his last. For sometime he occupied the churches left vacant by his father. In the year 1809, he removed to Kentucky, leaving none of the name in Virginia. But the name of Todd can never be omitted in any history of the Presbyterian church in Virginia, or in the United States of America. It would be very agreeable to the church in coming time, to peruse a sermon from his pen or an essay — but she must content herself with a record of his works. Alexander Craighead. Of this energetic man, a Memoir has been given in the Sketches of North Carolina. Robert Henry, the minister fourth named in the Presbytery, was a native of Scotland, a graduate of New Jersey College, in the year 1751, and a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York. " Upon representation of the destitute circumstances of Virginia, the Synod appoint — Sept. 29th, 1752, — Mr. Greenman, and Mr. Robert Henry, to go there sometime betwixt this and next Synod." He visited the vacancies of Virginia south of the James, and being acceptable to the congregation, and himself pleased with the prospects of usefulness and comfort, he was ordained by the Presbytery of New York, in 1753, to become the regular pastor. His installation did not take place till after Mr. Davies' return from Great Britain. In 1755, on the 4th of June, the installation services were performed by Mr. Todd, and Mr. Henry was consti- tuted pastor of Cub creek in Charlotte, and Briery in Prince EdAvard, both then forming part of Lunenburg County. Mr. Todd considered the event and the circumstances of sufficient interest to be communicated to Mr. Whitefield. Mr. Davies, under date of July 14th, 175G, Avrites — " About a mouth ago, I took a journey to Mr. Henry's congregation in Lunenburg, about 120 miles hence, to assist him in administering the sacrament, and in thirteen days I preached 11 or 12 sermons, with encouraging appearance of success. I think Mr. Henry and Mr. Wright's labors continued to be blessed in those parts. At the sacrament in that Avilderness, there were about 2000 hearers, and about 200 communicants, and a general seriousness and attention appeared among them ; a cuusi- 4 50 BRIERY CONGREGATION. derable number of thoughtless creatures are solicitiously enquiring after religion." The congregation of Briery had its origin in one of Mr. Davies' visits to the scattered Presbyterian families on the frontiers. In his missionary excursions he had as many appointments in advance as was convenient to make, and made others as he went along. Sending forward he would engage a place for lodging, and gather the family, and servants, and if possible, some of the neighbors for evening worship and exposition of Scripture. Passing through Charlotte, one of the company, James Morton, rode forward to the house of Littlejoe Morton, on the little Roanoke, the place since known as little Roanoke bridge, and enquired for lodging for Mr. Davies, the. preacher. Mrs. Morton sent for her husband from the fields. They consulted upon the matter. They had heard of the New Lights and of Mr. Davies, but had never heard them, and were not favorably impressed by the report. Their hospitality that knew not how to turn from their door those that asked for accommodation, finally prevailed ; and Mr. Davies was made welcome. That night he expounded Scripture with much feeling and earnestness. In the morning he passed on ; but Mr. and Mrs. Morton were both awakened to a sense of their lost condition. Finding peace in believing, they both became devoted friends of Mr. Davies, and ardent Christians. That section of the country had been settled under the pastorage of the Randolph family, by a most Avorthy population. Mr. Morton was an enterprising man, proverbially honest and kind, and in the confidence and employ of the Randolphs, whose interest he greatly promoted, by making judicious selections of land in their behalf. Upon becoming a believer, he began to talk and pray with his neighbors and friends, and like Morris, of Hanover, to have worship on the Sabbath. His efi"orts were followed with great success. Mr. Davies visited the neighborhood ; and numbers became hopefully Christians, and were formed into a congregation on the little Roanoke and Briery. The traditions of Littlejoe Morton and others of that name, of the Womacs and Spencers and others, had they been committed to writing, would be perused with an interest as intense as the letters of Morris and Davies, about the doings in Hanover, and more abiding as the congregation gathered has flourished to this day, and a great number of the descendants of these first Christians have been eminently pious. Their prayer-meetings, their long rides to church, their communion seasons, and their deep religious exercises, had something of romantic interest in them, as they displayed the mighty power of God's grace. Hanover lives mostly in history ; Briery is a living epistle known and read of all men. Cub Creek congregation was made up of a colony of Scotch- Irish, led to the frontiers of Virginia, by John Caldwell, about the year 1738. At his request the Synod of Philadelphia appointed a deputation to wait upon the Governor of Virginia, to solicit the favor of the Governor and Council for the proposed colony. Rev. REV. ROBERT HENRY. 51 James Anderson waited on tlie Governor, Mr. Gooch, a Scotch- man, educated a Presbyterian, and obtained from him a promise of protection and free enjoyment of their religion upon the condition of good citizenship, and compliance with the act of Toleration. It was less difficult to obtain toleration for a colony than for families that chose to leave the established church. Mr. Anderson visited the incipient congregations in the Shenandoah valley, and put them in the way of toleration by the Governor and Council. Part of the immediate descendants of the colony on Cub Creek went to Ken- tucky, some to South Carolina, and the progeny of the remainder is found in the bounds of the first Cub Creek, which has been the fruitful parent of numerous churches colonized on her borders. Somewhat eccentric in manners, Mr. Henry was ardently pious and devoted to his work as a gospel minister. His strong natural passions were controlled by divine grace, and made the instruments of good. "He required" — said the venerable Pattello, in conver- sation with a young minister — " grace enough for two common men, to keep him in order; and he had it." He had much success in his ministry. Mr. M'Aden, the early missionary to North Carolina, after describing the terror of the inhabitants west of the Blue Ridge, upon the receipt of the news of Braddock's defeat, says, on visiting Mr. Henry on his way to Carolina, — " I was much refreshed by a relation of Mr. Henry's success among his people, who told me of several brought in by his ministry, and frequent appearance of new awakenings amongst them ; scarcely a Sabbath passing without some life, and appearance of the power of God." Having a gi'eat fund of cheerfulness and a fine flow of spirits, Mr. Henry's besetting sin was in exciting levity in others by his humor and eccentricity. His ardent piety, however, was known to all ; and very often the involuntary smile which he unintentionally excited, was followed by a tear from a wounded heart. In his preaching he was very animated, sometimes approaching vociferation. This vehement manner, and vein of humor often breaking out in his sermons, rendered him peculiarly acceptable to the African race, among whom he gathered many converts ; and from his time Cub Creek has been able to number many of that race among her pro- fessors. The Presbytery in session at Cub Creek, Thursday, Oct. IGth, 1766, adopted the following minute — " Mr. Henry and his session have agreed before the Presbytery, that if the said session cannot settle their congregational altairs respecting Mr. Henry's salary to his satisfaction, in a month from this time, they are willing to acquit him of the pastoral relation, and to allow him to remove where he pleases, — in which Presbytery concur." The month passed without a settlement. Mr. Henry made a journey to North Carolina, and received an invitation to remove to the CataAvba. The records of Presbytery, April 1st, 1767, say — "a call was presented to Mr. Henry from the united congregations of Steel Creek and New Providence ; which he accepts upon condition that 52 READING A SERMON. said congregation, and liis former congregation continue in the same state in which he left them ; in which the Presbytery concur ; Mr. Henry having previously obtained a regular dismission from his former congregation on Cub Creek, in Virginia." In the Provi- dence of God he was permitted to remain where his heart evidently longed for its home. On the eighth of the succeeding May, he passed to his everlasting rest ; and his bones were laid among the people of his ministry. The place where the first stand was erected on Cub Creek, for preaching, can be pointed out ; and also the dwellings in Briery that were opened for the preaching the gospel in the time of the gathering the churches. Since the days of Mr. Henry the two congregations have been sometimes united in the services of a minister, and sometimes separated ; and in these two conditions have enjoyed the labors of Rev. Messrs. Lacy, Alexander, Lyle, Rice, Mahon, Reed, Douglass, Plumer, Osborne, Stewart, Hart, Brown, Scott, and Stuart. Mr. Henry was not in the habit of reading his sermons, or even of writing. Short notes of preparations were all he used, and not always those. It is said of him that on a certain occasion he thought he ought to prepare himself with greater care than usual, and having written a sermon, he commenced reading from a small manuscript in his Bible. Of course he appeared to go on tamely. A gust of wind suddenly swept the paper from the Bible. He wa^tched its progress as it sailed along to an old elder's seat. The old gentleman had been listening seriously, and as the paper fell at his side he deliberately put his foot upon it. Mr. Henry waited for him to bring it back to him. The old gentleman looked up as if nothing had happened ; and Mr. Henry finished his sermon in the best way he could. It was the end of his written preparations to preach. There is nothing left as a production of his pen. Mr. Davies gives a testimony of the usefulness of Mr. Henry under date of June 3d, 1757 — "But my honest friend Mr. Henry has had remarkable success last winter among the young people of his congregation. No less than seventeen of them were struck to the heart by one occasional evening lecture." The first instance in which the attention of the Presbytery of Hanover was called to the subject of Psalmody, as embracing the question of propriety or impropriety of singing the version of Dr. \^^atts, occurred at Cub Creek, Oct. 6th, 1763. " In answer to the petition from Mr. Henry's congregation respecting Psalmody," Mr. Todd read the action of Synod — recommending consideration of the subject — and permission to those that desire to use the version of Watts till further action be had on the subject. John Wright, the fifth named in the order of Synod, was from Scotland. All that is known of his early life, is from a letter of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards to the Rev. John Erskine, of Scot- land, July 7th, 1752 — " Mr. John Wright, a member of New REV. JOHN WRIGHT. 53 Jersey College, who is to take his degree of Bachelor of Arts the next September, is now at my house. He was born in Scotland ; has lived in Virginia, and is a friend and acquaintance of Mr. Davies ; has a great interest in the esteem of the religious people of Virginia, and is peculiarly esteemed by President Burr ; has been admitted to special intimacy with him ; and ia a person of a very good character for his understanding, prudence, and piety. He has a desire to have a correspondence with some divine of his native country, and has chosen you foi' his correspondent, if he may be admitted to such a favor. He intends to send you a letter with this, of which I would ask a favorable reception, as he has laid me under some special obligations." Mr. Wright took his degree in 1752, was licensed by New Castle Presbytery, and ordained by the same in 1753. On the last Sab- bath of July, in the year 1755, he was installed pastor of the church in Cumberland, Virginia. The church-building stands about three miles east from Farmville ; the congregation extended west- wardly and southwardly to Briery, embracing what is now the college church, and in other directions unlimited, or bounded only by the distance people could ride to the ordinances of the gospel. Wyllis, mountain, and river, belonged to this congregation, and for a time the neighborhood was a promising field of labor. The population Avas made up of English, Scotch-Irish, and Huguenots. The church as first gathered was the fruit of tlie labors of Mr. Robinson and Mr. Davies ; principally of the latter. When Mr. Davies obtained license for three houses in addition to the four originally licensed, he asked for a house in Cumberland. The request was not noticed. It is probable its distance from Davies' residence was considered a sufficient reason ; the General Court having recalled the license granted by the Court of Ncav Kent County. Capt. John Morton, who accompanied Mr. Davies on his first visit to the house of Littlcjoe Morton, was — says Dr. Alex- ander — " one of the persons who first associated together as a Presbyterian church in Cumberland County, Virginia, of which he soon became elder ; in which office he continued till the day of his death. He was a man of warm, generous heart, ardent in his piety, and public-spirited in a high degree ; so that his heart and his hands were ever ready to engage in any good work." Mr. Wright, in a letter bearing date August I8ti:i, 1755, soon after Braddock's defeat, and amidst the long drought, says — "the situation of our colony is most doleful, as the Gazette will inform you ; we have not only the sword without, but famine within ; and also, our people, till the defeat of our army, quite unalarmed and secure ! But now there seems to bo a general concern among all ranks. People generally begin to believe the divine government, and ti-at our judgments are inflicted for our sins ! they now hear sermons with solemnity and attention ; they acknowledge their Avick- edness and ignorance, and believe that tiie New Lvjiit clergy and adherents are ri^ht. Thus you see, dear sir, that amidst all our 54 REV. JOHN WEIGHT. troubles, God is gracious and brings real good out of our real evils, adored be bis great name. I bad tbe sacrament of tbe Lord's supper administered, tbe last Sunday of July, in my infant congre- gation, wbicb proved a solemn season. Tbere was a vast concourse of people, above 2000, I dare say. I was installed at tbe same time, by Messrs. Davies, and Henry, of Lunenburg. I bave bad about 180 communicants, above 80 of tbem never partook before I came bere. There were general awakenings for sundry Sabbaths before tbe sacrament, and new instances of deep and rational conviction, which I found by examining the communicants. I have seen last Lord's day above a hundred weeping and trembling under the word." " I now preach anywhere, being so distant from the metropolis, and the times being so dangerous and shocking ; and I would fain hope not without success." Here is stated the great cause of the liberty the dissenters enjoyed after Davies' return from England. It is found in tbe French and Indian war, and the necessity to use the aid of the dissenters, as they were called, then altogether Presbyterians, in defending the country. A license was refused to the people of Cumberland, asking for it in a respectful way and according to law ; in time of peace they should have no house for worship under pro- tection of law ; war comes, and in its troubles and confusion, Mr. Wright preaches in as many places in Cumberland as the people choose, and he is able to occupy. God shakes the earth that his beloved may have peace. We also learn the date of the first communion in Cumberland under the ministry of Mr. Wright, tho last Sabbath of July, 1755. From the circumstances of the case, it is probable this was the first held by any Presbyterian, in the bounds of Cumberland congregation. Previously to this time, tbe people rode to Briery and Cub Creek, to ordinances administered by Mr. Henry, on one side, and to Hanover, and Louisa, and Goochland, on the other, to enjoy the same privileges under Messrs. Davies and Todd. Tbe number of professors increased, till, at the time of installation, about 180 were numbered. People were used to ride far on communion occasions ; and in the state of the church at that time, to bave but 180 communicants assemble at a central place, when Davies, and Henry, and Wright were to officiate after harvest, is scarcely credible, it is therefore most probable that the 180 were all living in the bounds of Mr. Wright's charge, or at least out of the bounds of the other pastoral charges. Mr. Davies writes under date of March 2d, 1756 — about some books sent from England to be distributed at his discretion, — " 1 sent a few of each sort to my friend and brother Mr. Wright, minister in Cumberland, about ninety miles hence, where there is a great number of negroes, and not a few of them thoughtful and inquisitive about Christianity, and sundry of them hopeful converts. He has been faithful in the distribution, and informs me they meet witli a very agreeable and promising reception, lie is very labo- CONCERT OF PRATER: SAD END. 55 rions in his ende.ivors to instruct negroes, and has set up two or three schools among them, where they attend hefore and after sermon, for they have no other leisure time." Mr. Wright, under date of January 20th, 1757, says — " Blessed be God, w^e have bad more of the poAver of God last sprinjx, summer, and autumn, than ever. This I told Mr. Adams. But since I wrote him there have been some remarkable revivino;s in Messrs. Davies and Henry's congregations, and mine. The former had it chiefly among the negroes ; and the other among the youth ; and in my congregation I may say it was general and eminently among the young people." Speaking of his communion seasons and members joining the church — he says — "last August about eighty or ninety ; and last July between thirty and forty new ones. At my first I had not quite six young people ; but at my last between fifty and sixty. There seems to be something of a stir among the negroes in my congregation, and among little children. I believe I have five or six of the former who have even now a title to heaven. They received lately a present of addresses done by Mr. Fawcett, of Kidderminster, Testaments, Bibles, &c., which animates them much to learn to read. A good number of ministers in this country entered into a concert of prayer on Saturday evening and Sabbath morning, not only for the church in general, but for one another in particular." Nov. 14th, 1757, he says — "I have been sickly all this spring and summer. I was obliged to quit preaching altogether, but could not keep silence ; at last I fled from my flock, to be out of temptation of preaching, but could not keep away long ; and upon my return must preach or sink into melancholy. I got some ease about the middle of May, and preached at Willis's Creek on Acts 17th, 30th. ' But now he commandeth all men every where to repent.'" On the 2d Sabbath in the succeeding June, Messrs. Henry and Martin assisted Mr. Wright at a communion in Cumber- land ; thirty-six new communicants were admitted to the ordinance. It is melancholy to record the fact that a man of the high expectations and esteem, and apparent usefulness of Mr. Wright, should fall under the censure of the Presbytery. In the weakness of body, and the m.elancholy of which he complains in one of his letters, he sought relief in stimulants, in the once common, but vain belief, that peimanent relief might be had by their exciting influence. The things in which he sought renewed health, wrought his disgrace, and his de})arturo from Virginia. In 1762, the Pres- bytery sustained some charges against him of immoderate use of spirituous liquors ; and some improprieties connected with that indulgence. His morning of expectation went down in clouds, never to be brighter till Christ the Lord shall come. Then we hope it may appear that wandering he was not finally lost. The Picv. John Brown, the sixth named in the order of the Synod, was pastor of Timber llidge and Providence. A aketcli of him is found under the head of Tunber liidj2;e. 56 REV. JOHN MARTIN. The Rev. Jottn Martin, the seventh on the list of memhers, was the first licensed and the first ordained by the Presbytery of Hanover. March 18th, 1756, at Providence, in Louisa, Mr. Todd's charge, — " Mr. John Martin offered himself upon trials for the gospel ministry, and delivered a discourse upon Ephesians 2d, 1st, •which was sustained as a part of trial ; and he was also examined as to his religious experience, and the reasons of his desiring the ministry ; which was also sustained. He was likewise examined in the Latin and Greek languages, and briefly in Logic, Ontology, Ethics, Natural Philosophy, Rhetoric, Geography, and Astronomy ; in all which his answers in general were very satisfactory. And the Presbytery appoint him to prepare a sermon on 1 Cor. 1st, 22d, 23d, and an exegesis on this question — Num revelatio super- naturalis sit necessaria ? — to be delivered at our next committee. And the Presbytery appoint Messrs. Todd, Wright, and Davies, a committee for that purpose ; to meet in the lower meeting-house in Hanover the last Wednesday in April." At the time appointed, the parts of trial received the approbation of the committee; and examination was held — "upon the Hebrew, and in sundry extempore questions upon the doctrines of religion, and some cases of conscience, his answers to which were generally sustained." He was requested by the committee to prepare a sermon on Galat. 2d, 20th. "The life which I now live in the flesh" — and an exposition on Isaiah 61st, 1, 2, 3, — ^The spirit of the Lord is upon me. At Goochland Court House, July 7th, 1756, the sermon and the exposition were delivered before some members in a private capacity, as the Presbytery failed to meet — "which the ministers and elders present do highly approve of and think worthy to be received as part of the trials," and they desire him to com- pose a sermon against the next Presbytery on 1 John 5th, 10th, first part — He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. In the succeeding August, the 25th day — " The Pres- bytery met by appointment of the Moderator — and farther examined Mr. Martin, in sundry extempore questions upon various branches of learning and divinity, and reheard his religious experience ; and upon a review of the sundry trials he has passed through, they ■judge him qualified to preach the gospel ; and he having declared liis assent to, and approbation of the Westminster Confession of faith, Catechism and Directory, as they have been adopted by the iSynod of New York, the Presbytery do license and authorize him to preach as a candidate for tiie ministry of the gospel, and recom- mend him to the acceptance of the churches. And they order Mr. Davies and Todd to draw up for him a certificate according to the purport of this Minute ; and appoint the Moderator to give him some solemn instructions and aumonitions with regard to the dis- charge of his ofiice, wiiich was done accordingly." Mr. Davies was tiie Moderator. The preaching of Mr. Martin was very acceptable to the vacan- cies, inrst came iuvitatiuns for a few Sabbaths; then calls from COMMISSION OF PRESBYTERY: A FAST. 57 Allicmarle — Prince Edward and Lunenburg; petitions from Petcrs- burp; and Amelia. In all these places be preached to acceptance. Pressino; calls for ministerial services came from North Carolina. April 27th, 1757 — " Presbytery is^ appointed to meet in Hanover on the 2d Wednesday of June, -which Mr. Martin is to open with a sermon from Romans 4th, 5th, preparatory to his ordination, which is to be the day following, at which Mr. Da vies is to preside." At the appointed time, Mr. Martin preached, and on the next day was regularly ordained. The reasons for his ordination are not stated : they may be inferred. After his ordination he visited North Carolina, and had appointments at Rocky river, Hawfields, and Hico." He never met the Presbytery again. In October of the same year at a meeting of the committee at Mr. William Smith's, in Cumberland — " Mr. Martin, having entered into the Indian Mis- sion, has, by the hands of Mr. Davies, given up both the calls, which he had under consideration." January 25th, 1758, at Capt. Anderson's, Cumberland — " Applications having been made to the committee appointed by the Presbytery, to manage such incidental occurrences as might happen in the interspace between the meetings of the Presbytery, by the society for managing the Indian Mission and schools, that Mr. Martin should be sent among the Indians ; the committee complied : — on which account he is excused from complying with his other appointments." His name appears on the Minutes of Presbytery for the last time, April 25th, 1759. No reason is given for its omission. The Records of the Indian Mis- sion in England, if in existence, would give some interesting facts concerning the mission and this man. Some Acts of Presbytery. In the short period of two years and four months, from the time of its formation to its remodelling in 1758, the Presbytery of Hanover held nine meetings, — met four times by committee ap- pointed for Presbyterial business, — and appointed one committee of peculiar powers, viz — Aug. 25, 1756 — "As the members are scattered so that they cannot often meet in stated Presbytery, nor be called pro re 7iata, the Presbytery appoint Messrs. Todd, Wright, Brown, and Davies, or any two of them a committee for this year, to transact such afiairs as may not admit of a delay till the meeting of the Presbytery, and they shall bring in an account of their pro- ceedingto Presbytery." The first act of Presbytery was to appoint a fast, in accordance witli the Act of Synod ; — and their last act was to appoint the last Wednesday of June, to be observed by all the members in their congregations as a day of public fasting and prayer, on account of the situation of our public affairs ; and the want of divine influence on the means 'of grace. An address v,'?^ presented to the Right Honorable John, Earl of Loudon, Supren.o Governor of the Colony— in which— alter professing loyalty— they hope— "yuur Excellency will grant us all liberties and immunities ot 58 CONGREGATION OF NEW PROVIDENCE. a full toleration, according to the laws of England, and particularly- according to the Act of Parliament, commonly called the Act of Toleration." An address with a like expression of hope and desire, was addressed to Governor Fauquier. Earl Loudon made no reply ; Fauquier assured the Presbytery of the protection of the Act of Toleration. CHAPTER V. NEW PROVIDENCE. The Rev. Samuel Houston, in answer to some inquiries made by the Rev. James Morrison, the third pastor of New Providence, gave in writing the origin of the congregation. He begins with the grants to Beverly and Burden. " The dividing line between their grants crossed the valley near where New Providence church now stands." " Those families that came first were nearly connected, or large families. For comfort and for safety they generally settled near each other, and with the understanding that as soon as practicable they might have schools for their children ; and form religious societies, and have places of public worship. Those first settlers in the valley were mostly Presbyterians ; but those in New Providence, I believe wholly so, at least in name. Near the South Mountain, there were several families of the name of Moore, — others of Steel, — near them M' Clung, — and Fulton, — Beard ; and then a little further on, my grand-father, John Houston, and his brother-in-law, John Mont- gomery, and some by the name of Eaken. Near the middle (of the valley), on Kennedy's Creek and its branches were, the Ken- nedys, W ardlaws, Logans ; and another line of Steels, Edmundsons, Buchanans, Pattons, Millars, Stephensons. Towards the North Mountain, on Hays' and Walker's Creek, were two families of Hays, three or four Walkers of the same stock, and their brother- in-laAV, James Moore ; two families of Robinsons, one of Kelly, Hudson, Thompson, Smiley, and tAvo of Rheas. In the midst were three of the Berry family, one of Tedford, one M'Campbell, two or three M'Croskys, and a Coalter family. In the course of a few years, other families came and settled amongst them ; their names were, M'Nutt, Weir, Campbell, Wilson, Anderson, Calton, Henry, Lowry, and another stock of Edmundsons, and one family named Todd, my grand-lather on ifiy mother's side ; two of the name of Stuart, one of Alexander, Cuwder, Gray, Jamieson, and' two Pat- tons. Of all these families, by intermarriages other families were soon formed; also others coming in. THE MEETING HOUSE. 59 "The above settlers commenced, at least man;v of them, in the woods, and in much fear from the savages and wild beasts. Hence at my grand-father's house, some distance from the South Mountain, but nearer it than the western side of the settlement, and a house most convenient for the whole settlement to collect their families together in case of an invasion, the settlers erected a stockade fort, the remainders of which, I saw around the yard when I was a boy. Near to the fort, at a place called then, and now. Old Providence, they erected a log meeting-house, and had worship occasionally by supplies from Pennsylvania. In those early days, the population of Timber Ridge united with Providence to get supplies, intending as soon as they could to have a settled pastor between them. The lower settlement on Hays' Creek and Walker's Creek, felt them- selves too distant from Old Providence, and urged a more central place between the mountains, and proposed the place, now near Witherow's Mansion. My grand-father prevailed upon his neigh- bors to meet them at the new site ; accordingly a log meeting-house was erected on the southern side of the creek. The united congre- gations of Timber Ridge and New Providence, called Mr. John Brown, and he was installed their pastor. The first elders were, — a Mr. Millar, Andrew Hays, John Logan, Samuel Buchannan, Alexander Walker, my grand-father John Houston, and iVndrew Steel." After the congregation had agreed upon a site for a new church, having had much difficulty in becoming united in the choice, it was ju'oposed to adopt a name — My aged ancestor said, 'neighbors we have hitherto had unpleasant and fruitless meetings, to-day we have had an agreeable and successful one, and we are indebted to a kind providence : let us call it New Providence,' to which all agreed. Then, ur soon afterwards they united in efforts ; some contributing, others laboring until they finished the stone walls, roof, doors, win- dows, and floor, and set in benches and a temporary pulpit, and then rested for some years until I was a boy capable of observation. For well do 1 remember sitting in my father's seat to see the swal- lows fl^'ing in and out during public worship, to feed their young ones, in nests upon the collar beams and wail-plates, or cavities in the stone work." When the people after some years finished the work by making a pulpit with a canopy, a gallery, and by glazing the windows, he says — " the elders Avere — Andrew liays, John Logan, Alexander Walker, John Houston, my father, Saunders AValker, and soon after James Henry, Charles Campbell, and James M' Campbell. "About the year 1763 an unhappy difference took place between the pastor, Mr. Brown, and some leading men in Timber Ridge con- gregation, on account of which Mr. Brown talked of removing. This deeply affected many of the New Providence congregation. But at last liiey agreed to retain his labors entirely, and on his accepting XbiU salary from them alone, his connexion and theirs witii Tiiuber Ridi^e was dissolved. Mr. Brown's labors were continued harnio- CD . ^ ^ ... niousiy in New Providence, until his powers of body failedj especially 60 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL. his voice. TliOTefore iinituany he and the congregation agreed for him to he relieved hy the congregation hecoining vacant, and another called, all which was in due order effected ; and in a short time his successor, Mr. Samuel Brown, was called and installed their pastor, which hrings me down to the year 1796. " A few remarks and I have done. After Mr. J. B. left Timher Ridge many of said congregation retained much affection for him, and through much inconvenience attended almost steadily N. P. meetings and communions as formerly. Another remark is, that hefore the struggle for independence took place, N. P. kept the Sab- hath with great strictness, and family worship was almost univer- sal. Another remark is, that shortly before the war, some men, whose sons were growing up, felt a desire for having them, or part of them, educated liberally, chiefly with a view to the ministry of the gospel. Accordingly a small grammar school was formed in the neighborhood of Old Providence, composed of Samuel Doak, John Montgomery, Archibald Alexander, James Houston, William Tate, Samuel Greenlee, William Wilson, and others, which greatly in- creased and drew youths from distant neighborhoods. This f^r-Am- mar school was moved to the place near Fairfield, called Mount Pleasant ; it was, in 1776, established at Timber Ridge meeting- house, and named Liberty Hall. " Sincerely yours, "S. Houston." Tradition says the first work after building log-cabins for them- selves, was to erect a capacious meeting-house. For permanency and dignity they determined it should be of stone. Limestone for mortar could be found in any abundance, but sand was brought on pack-horses six or seven miles from the stream called South Fork. Nails' and glass were brought in the same wp.y from Philadelphia. A sycamore, for a long time the only one in the neighborhood, sprung from the bank of refuse sand brought from a stream wliere the tree abounds. The succeeding generations kncAV the old syca- more, enjoying its shade on Sabbath noon. So intent were many of the people of New Providence that their house of worship should be properly finished, that they forbore not only luxuries, but what are now esteemed the necessaries of housewifery. One old lady apologized to some company that came to eat with her, for not ac- commodating more at a time at the table, and requiring them to eat by turns, that all might have the benefit of her few knives and forks, by saying, " We intended to have got a set of knives this year, but the meeting-house was to be finished, and we could not give our share and get the knives, so we put them off for another year." The only pair of wheels in the congregation for many years was made to draw timbers for the church. In their private concerns the drag and sled sufficed. Of those persons named by Mr. Houston, students of the first grammar school — Doak, Montgomery, Houston, and Wilson be- JOHN BROWN — SAMUEL BROWN. 61 came ministers of the gospel. Dr. Doak, well known in Tenncssoa as the laborious patron of literature, and minister of the gospel ; Houston preached in Kentucky, and in the time of the great excite- ment, left the Presbyterian Church ; Montgomery preached in Vir- ginia, and died on Cowpasture ; Wilson lies buried near Augusta Church, of which he was long a pastor. Houston and Wilson used to tell of Doak, that as his parents lived in the bounds of Bethel, too far from the school to live at home, he erected a cabin near the school house for his convenience ; and that the boys in their fun Avould frequently, while Doak was engaged with his teacher, break into his cabin, and derange his apparatus for cooking, and make sad work with his housekeeping ; all which he bore with great good humor, and went on cheerfully with his studies, in preparation for that life of trial and usefulness as a pioneer of the gospel and sound education in Tennessee. The name of the first teacher has been pre- served, but not those of his successors, till William Graham, and John Montgomery; these are preserved in the records of Presbytery. It does not appear that Mr. J. Brown ever himself engaged in teach- ing the school which for years was in operation about a mile from his dwelling, in which his elder children received their education, preparatory for those posts of honor conferred upon them by the conmiunity. The people of New Providence were visited by the missionaries sent out by the Presbyteries of the Synod of New York. And May 18th, 1748, the Eecords of Synod say, "A call was brought into Synod from Falling Spring and New Providence, to be presented to iUr. Byram, the acceptance of which he declined." The congrega- tion being pleased with the labors of Mr. John Brown, a licentiate of New Castle Presbytery, who remained in the Valley for some time as a missionary, united, in 1753, with the people of Timber Pddge in making the call for his services. After Mr. Brown with- drew from Timber E,idge, he continued, many years, to preach to New Providence alone. His sketch is given under the head of Tim- ber illdfre. That the congrefration of New Providence did not over- value his usefulness, is seen in their prosperity. It Avent united into the hands of his successors, with a ciieering prospect of use- fulness, the standard of piety, an able eldership, a large number of professors of religion, having sent into the ministry some of her sons, and been the nursery of the Academy and the germ of the College. The second pastor Avas Mr. Samuel Brown, settled in 179G. We know nothing of the life of John Brown till he left college ; we know but comparatively little of his successor before he entered on his ministry. And ttiat little we know is from the memoranda of a son, now a minister of the gospel. Samuel Brown, of English ori- gin, was born in the year 1706, of a family of moderate circum- etanccs, in Bedford County, Virginia, in the bounds of the congre- gation of Peaks and Pisgaii, the fruitful mother of many ministers of the gospel prominent ia the Virginia Church. 62 LETTER FROM HENUY BROWN. Crab Bottom, October 25th, 1853. Dear Brother — In 1836 I -was at the house of Jesse Wit, the brother-in-law of my venerated father, and took down, as directed by him, the following reminiscences. Mr. Wit was intimately ac- quainted with him from childhood, went to school with him, and sub- sequently my father boarded at his house, and went to school in his neighborhood. Mr. Wit lived and died near Liberty, Bedford County, Virginia. Mr. Wit says : — The first advantages he (my father) enjoyed in the way of mental culture were at schools where the first branches only of an English education were taught. He indulged in such sports as were common at schools, but was entirely free from pro- fanity, and of exemplary morals. He was the fondest boy of his books, and the best scholar of his age I ever knew. He often expressed a desire to obtain a liberal education, but the circum- stances of his father were not such as to enable him to give his chil- dren a better education than would barely fit them to transact their own business in the more ordinary walks of life. About the year 1785 there was a school taught near the Peaks of Otter, by a Mr. Bromhead, in which the higher branches of an English education, such as English grammar, geography, surveying, &c., might be obtained. This was not the case in schools generally at that day. To this school he earnestly requested his father to send him ; but his father did not think his circumstances would justify the expense of boarding his son from home, and declined granting the request. The son being very urgent, the father thought to end the matter by telling him that to enable him to do so, it would be necessary to sell his yoke of oxen. But such was the desire of the son to learn, that, to this measure he strongly urged his father. By some means, now unknown, he got to the school. Being possessed of more than the ordinary talents and fondness for the science of mathematics, and having obtained a magnetic needle, he fitted it to a compass of his own construction, and with this, for want of a better, he practised surveying, for his own improvement. After *eaving the school of Mr. Bromhead, he went to Kentucky, and taught school himself, but at the end of twelve months he re- turned to the house of his father in Bedford County. This Avas in 1788. Shortly after his return he commenced going to school to the Rev. James Mitchel, who resided in the neighborhood of his father. About this time the congregations of Peaks and Pisgah were blessed with an extensive revival of religion, principally under the instrumentality of the Rev. Drury Lacy. Mr. Brown became one of the subjects of renewing grace. At that time he was very fond of playing on the violin, and was considered a good player. The amusement of dancing also possessed in his estimation peculiar claims. He abandoned boih, and returned to them no more. Indeed, such were his subsequent views of the great tendency of dancing to banish serious reflections, and promote licentiousness, that even the sound of the violin was ever afterwards unpleasant. Of the pecu- REV. SAMUEL BROWN. • 63 liar exercises of his mind under his awalcening, I know but little. I remember to have heard, however, thnt like many others, he was for a time p:reatly perplexed about the distinctive doctrines of Calvin- ism ; and being unable to get the difficulties solved that were sug- gested to his mind, he undertook to read the Scriptures regularly- through in reference to that single point, noting down as he pro- ceeded, what he found to favor the Arminian or Calvinistic view. Having found so many passages which would admit of no other than a Calvinistic interpretation, and not one on the side of Arminian- ism but might be interpreted otherwise, he bowed to the doctrines of divine grace, and gave his heart to God before he had gone half through the Bible. Not long after he made his first public address. Being at a prayer meeting in Liberty, where tbere was considerable religious excitement, he arose, and Avith great earnestness repeated Heb. 12 : 14 : " Holiness — without which no man shall see the Lord ;" and sat down. In 1790, he boarded in my family, in Liberty, and commenced the study of the Latin language, under a Mr. Andrew Lyle, from Rockbridge County. Mr. L. subsequently removed to Kentucky, and entered the ministry. He was succeeded by a Mr. Houston, from the same county, who subsequently became a minister of the gospel, and removed to Ohio, where he became a Shaking Quaker. In this school, Mr. Brown continued about two years. Thus far Mr. Wit. I am, Dear Sir, yours in the gospel, Henry Brown. While preparing for the ministry as a candidate, he was a mem- ber of Liberty Hall Academy, under William Graham. At the meeting of Hanover Presbytery, at Concord, July 30th, 1791, Messrs. Turner and Calhoun read parts of their trial in preparation for licensure ; the call from Philadelphia for the removal of J. B. Smith, from Hampden Sidney College, was put in his hands with the non-concurrence of the Presbytery ; and three young men were taken as candidates ; " John Lyle, recommended to this Presby- tery as a young man of good moral character, prosecuting his studies, and desirous of putting himself under their care, not as a candidate at present, but for their patronage and direction, was introduced. And the Presbytery having heard an account of his religious exercises, thought proper to encourage him in his studies. Mr. Samuel Brown was also recommended as a young man in nearly the same circumstances, and wishing to be taken under the direction of Presbytery in the same manner. But the Presbytery having heard a detail of God's dealings with his soul, and of his motives to engage in the ministry of the gospel, and considering the progress that he has already made in acquiring an education, thought proper to admit him as a candidate upon trials. They therefore agreed to assign him some subjects as a specimen of his abilities, under this limitation, that he be at liberty to produce them to Presbytery at any of their sessions, when it shall be convenient 64 • EEV. SAMUEL BROWN. to himself; and appointed him an essay npon the Extent of Christ's Satisfaction." Mr. Moses Waddel, a student at Hampden Sidney College, was also received as candidate, and parts of trial Avere assigned. At Bethel, July 27th, 1792, Mr. Brown read his essay upon the Extent of Christ's Satisfaction. This essay was on the 30th con- sidered and sustained, and an essay was appointed Lim upon the question — " How do men become depraved, and wherein does that depravity consist;" and also a Presbyterial exercise upon Romans 1st, 18th. At Providence, in Louisa, Oct. 5th, 1792, " Mr. Brown was appointed a popular discourse on Rom. 5th, 1st, in addition to his other parts of trial to be produced at the next meeting." Briery, April 5th, 1793 — "The Presbytery was opened with a sermon by Samuel Brown, on the subject assigned him." At this meeting the Rev. Devereux Jarret took his seat as a corresponding member. On the next evening the Presbytery met at 7 o'clock, at the house "of old Mrs. Morton" — and after consideration, sustained Mr. Brown's popular sermon. The notice of his reading his Essay and Presbyterial Exercise is omitted in the records. " The Presbytery then proceeded to examine Mr. Brown with respect to his knowledge in the doctrines of Divinity, and his answers being satisfactory, it was agreed to license him to preach the gospel. And Mr. Brown having adopted the Confession of Faith as received in the Presby- terian Church in America, and promised subjection to his brethren in ^he Lord, was accordingly licensed to preach the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, and recommended to all the churches where God in his Providence may call him." At a meeting in July, at the Cove, on the 25th instant. Presbytery recommended Mr. Brown to the commission of Synod. Under the direction of this com- mission, he performed missionary service until April 21st, 1796, when at Hampden Sidney — " Mr. Samuel Brown, formerly a pro- bationer under the care of this Presbytery, but for some time past a missionary under the direction of the commission of Synod, pro- duced a dismission from that body, certifying his good character and conduct while he acted as a missionary, whereupon he was again received as a probationer under the care of this Presbytery." On the next day — "A supplication was laid before Presbytery from the congregations of Providence, (Louisa), North Fork, and the Bird, to obtain Mr. Samuel Brown to supply them for six months, in order to prepare the way for his final settlement among them. Mr. Brown being asked whether such an appointment would be agreeable to him, answered in the negative, as he had already determined to remove out of the bounds of Presbytery." He then requested and obtained a dismission to join the Presbytery of Lex- ington. The journals of Mr. Brown kept during his missionary travelling and preaching have not, with the exception of a few fragments, been preserved. The range was large ; the bounds of the commission extended over Virginia, AVest Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Yuth the general extent of their bounds, and a large REV, SAMUEL BllOWN. 65^ proportion of the particulars, Mr. Brown became fully acquainted. And tlie selection of a place of living, which he was enabled to make by the good will and choice of the people, was characteristic of the man. For quietness, usefulness, comfort, present success in the ministry, and prospective in-gathering of harvests, New Provi- dence was unsurpassed by any of the numerous vacancies, and was equalled by few that had pastors. Honesty of purpose, simplicity of manners, diligence in business, and a libei^al economy charac- terized the people of this retired but fertile region of country. The congregation had been famous for its attachment to its minister; and the condition in which the first minister left it, in his feeble age bore testimony to his fidelity. The activity of a young man was becoming visibly necessary, and Brown the fi.rst gave place cheerfully to Brown the second ; and the successor as cheerfully honored his predecessor while reaping the fruit of his labors. For years he pursued the round, monotonous, were it not of eter- nal consequence, of a country pastor, preaching twice on the Sab- bath to a large congregation of hearers in the old Stone Church, having an hour's interval between the sermons; visiting the sick and burying the dead as required, during the week ; preaching oc- casionally in retired neighb(n-hoods ; catechising the children by neighborhoods annually, giving account to Presbytery of his dili- gence, and the success of the parents and children therein ; and holding communion, or sacramental meeting at stated periods during the year. Add to these recurring duties, the responsibilities of a select classical school, bria^^ing a number of the pupils to be mem- bers of his family, which he taught a greater part of the time he was pastor of New Providence. The excellence of his teaching and discipline drew pupils from the counties east of the Ridge, and kept his number complete. In teaching — he was, " mild with the mild — and with the froward fierce as fire." Rebellion against the laws of propriety, was in his eyes like the sin of witchcraft, and woe to the unhappy boy that ventured to find out by experience, the manner Samuel Brown could subdue a disobedient boy. One experiment was sufficient ior his whole school life, and generally for a wliole generation of bojs. But with the cheerful and the studious and the law-abiding boy, he was like a spring morning, or the autumn evening. Tall, j;pare, broad-shouldered, and not particu- larly careful at all times whether he stood precisely straight, a thin visage with small deep-set eyes, of a grey color tinged with blue, not particularly expressive till the deep passions of the heart were aroused, "then," said Governor James M'Dowell, "they began to sparkle and glow, and apparently sink deeper in his head, and grow brighter and brighter till the sparkling black was lost in a vivid flame of fire," then the volcano, giving, no other sign in muscle or in limb, of its subterraneous workings, was ready to burst. Then, if the explosion was a volume of wrath, it was terrible ; if the kindling of a great subject, the burst of eloquence was resistless; the bolt shot forth and shivered like the lightning. 5 66 REV. SAMUEL BROWN. Mr. S. Brown read and tht>ught closely, but wrote little. Like his neighbor Ba:iter, he could arrange his thoughts into the purest English and mo:?t classic sentence without the help of the pen. Some few manuscripts — one printed sermon — and a few pieces in the Virginia Magazine, are all we have from his pen. His style was simple and concise, with no approach to the florid or verbose, or highly figurative. It was, in his most deeply interesting ser- mons, that which the hearers could never describe — because they never observed — they were simply noticing the Ideas as they came rushing forth like a band of warriors from the opened gates. They could not tell the plumes nor ensigns — but they could hear the heavy tread, and see the fiery eye, and feel the fierce expression of every limb. Many of his hearers could repeat in order the great truths of his sermons that most Interested him. But only now and then would they venture to say — "he used these very words." In his less interesting discourses, they could venture to be more exact about his words. His people considered him a great reasoner. In their estimation he always reasoned Avell ; often better ; and some- times the best they could imagine. And that he could reason well is certain from the fact, that his congregation learned to reason admirably on the great truths of religion and morals ; and that his brethren in the ministry came to listen to his sermons with the same emotions as his own people. The greatest men In the Synod, said he Avas the greatest reasoner in the Synod, under the pressure of a great subject. Dr. Speece, who always listened to him with plea- sure, on one occasion appeared to be entirely absorbed in his dis- course ; and as Mr. Brown said — "but we must come to a conclu- sion" — he unconsciously raised his hand and said aloud, "goon, go on." The facts given by his son respecting the manner In which he be- came Siitisfied on the subject of predestination, are Illustrative of his manner of reasoning from the pulpit on common occasions. He would produce a great array of undoubted facts, and so marshal them as a host prepared for battle, that no one would like to make an onset. Or he would begin to lay the foundation of his building on some corner-stone of the gospel, and go on tier by tier, and story by story, till when the top stone was laid, the hearer charmed with its beauty and symmetry, was ready to shout "grace, grace unto it." His hearers saw it all plr'u, just right ; but It required Samuel Brown to do it. His model '^^'d's Epistle to the liomans, fact after fact, consecutive and mth illustrations ; till some certain fact as a conclusion .table. Sometimes he entered into the field of metaphyi-- jn much In fashion In his day; and among the many tha ang any impression, he was of the few that was resistl aid Aveave a web his adversai-Ies could not disentangle. jroduce a train the common peo- ple could understand, losely and feel at the close a deep conviction of its trut wiser heads could retrace the vari- ous steps after they i their homes. They could admire, REV. SAMUEL BROWN. 67 but it seemed to tliem it took a Samuel Brown to make it. Of his habits in the judicatories of the Church, there is neither a memo- randum nor a tradition of importance. One of his Elders describes him thus : — Jan. 4th, 1851. Reverend and Dear Sir, — I received your favor of Dec. 4th, only a few days ago, making some inquiries respecting the Reverend Samuel Brown. In compliance with your request, I will with plea- sure, send you such notices of him as my information on the subject will allow. He preached his first sermon in New Providence, after taking their call into his hands, June 5th, 1796. His text was in 4th of 2d Corinthians, 1st and 2d verses. His second sermon on the same day was from 1st Peter, 2d and 3d verses. He was married 9th of October, 1798, to Polly Moore, whose story is known to you. He soon afterwards purchased a small farm near Brownsburg, and com- menced teaching a classical school. He continued the school seve- ral years. Amongst those who were his pupils, I may name Gov. James McDowell, Gov. McNutt, of Mississippi, Samuel McD. Moore, and Dr. Wilson, now of Union Seminary. He attended to the busi- ness of his farm himself, employing no overseer. His salary was only $400 per annum, until a year or two before his death, when it was raised to $500. He was judicious and economical in the man- agement of his aifairs. At the time of his installation his means were nothing, his family became large, yet at his death his estate was quite considerable. He died suddenly, loth October, 1818, having preached the day before. His text on that occasion was in the 40th chapter of Isaiah, 30 and 31. His talents, according to the common opinion, and that is my own, were of a very high order. His judgment in all matters was eound and practical. In cases where it seemed difficult to arrive at a correct decision, he seemed to seize with facility the true view ; and the clearness of his statements hardly failed to bring others to con- cur with him. His preaching was impressive and interesting. In his personal appearance he was tall and lean, his eyes sunk deeply in his head. His voice, though not sweet, was distinct ; his manner earnest, seeming to be inspired by a deep conviction of the truth and importance of his subject. His gestures, according to my recollec- tions, were few, but apppropriate. In his addresses from the pulpit, he was eminent for strength, conciseness, aud perspicuity. Argu- mentative more than declamatory, he convinced the judgment of his hearers. Plain, instructive, and practical in his discourses, he brought the principles of the Bible to bear upon the conduct of his people in all their relations. He also held forth very strongly the great Calvinistic doctrines of the Scriptures. He preached repent- ance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He dwelt prominently on the total depravity of human nature, and on the necessity of regeneration. He frequently became very much ani- mated -when preaching, and sometimes the tears were seen to trickle 68 REV. SAMUEL BROWN. down his cheeks. His sermons were short generally. I have heard people complain sometimes that they were too short, but never that they were too long. When he preached two sermons on the Sab- bath, as he did in the summer, his last sermon was generally con- sidered the ablest. I never saw but one sermon of his in print ; that one was preached at the installation or ordination of A. B. Davidson, in Harrisonburg. Mr. Brown told me that he had preached it with- out much preparation, that he had however felt liberty in the delivery of it. When the Presbytery applied for a copy, he had none, and wrote it out as nearly as he could ; but I think he was not satisfied with it, and people generally did not consider it as a fair specimen of his sermons. The longer he lived amongst his people, the more they became attached to him. He mingled amongst them on easy and familiar terms ; took an interest in their welfare both temporal and spiritual. His conversation was interesting, and to use a current phrase, he was the soul of the company in which he was. He took an active interest in the Brownsburg Circulating Library, and was desirous to promote the taste, and the habit of reading amongst his people. He uniformly attended to catechising once a year, at the diiferent places in his congregation, and made pastoral visits to some extent. In his day it was not customary to preach at funerals. In admitting persons to the communion of the church, he generally conversed with them privately, and then reported to the Session. He was a man that never shrunk from any responsibility, that properly belonged to him, in any circumstances in which he was placed ; and his opinions probably carried more weight with them than those of any other man in this end of Rockbridge County. He was a very kind hus- band, and was always heard to speak of his wife in the most affec- tionate manner, and he reposed in her judgment and opinion great confidence. His piety was undoubted. He died universally lamented ; in the prime of life, in full intellectual vigor ; in the midst of his usefulness ; and when the love of his people towards him, so far from abating, was becoming deeper and stronger. I am yours, respectfully, Thomas H. Walker. As Mr. Samuel Brown "never shrunk from any responsibilities," BO he never sought for notoriety. He held the post of his highest desires, the pastor of a flock of the Lord Jesus. This he sought when he entered upon the course of studies for the ministry ; and for this he longed whether at the grammar school, or at Liberty Hall ; and this he preferred to a missionary life. And whether he directed the concerns of a small farm, or taught a select classical school, it was to aid him in the work of a gospel minister. And this honor and this desire he left as the inheritance of his children. As a teacher he stimulated youth to seek excellence ; and through life he encouraged the young to strive for mental as well as moral cul- ture. Dr. Spcece attributes to him his excitement for an education. REV. SAMUEL BROWN. 69 " In 1792, Mr. Samuel Brown, one of my former teachers, wrote to my father, to persuade him to send me to the grammar school, near New London. I was anxious to go ;" and through life he spoke of Samuel Brown as conferring a great favor on him in his early life, by encouraging him to seek a liberal education. When the bodily exercises referred to in the sketch of Baxter, and so fully described by Davidson in his History of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky, made their appearance in Virginia, Mr. Brown made a decided and open opposition. He said they were a profane mixture with the work of God. He had meditated upon the sub- ject as a peculiarity of Kentucky and Tennessee ; and when they became matters of daily fact in the neighboring congregations, he spoke out clearly and convincingly. His decision and his reasons for it, quickened the action of Baxter's mind, who was travelling more slowly, yet surely to the correct decision. These two men differed in some particulars, and by that very difference mutually affected the operations of each other's mind. Baxter was always ready to hear what Brown would say, and Brown was always glad to have Baxter fully agree with him. Baxter would listen to new things in argument, or report, or read them as history with entire simplicity. Like a child in a botanic garden, with the carelessness of innocence he would walk around wounding his hands with the thorns here, and offending his smell there, with the odor of the flowers, seeming to admire the pernicious and the deadly, and stopping to look a mo- ment at the pure and good : and going into the museum to look at machinery, they should lead him to the apartments of the garrotte, the maiden and the guillotine, at all of which he would look with awakened curiosity as something recommended for their peculiar ex- cellence : — by and by his face would begin to assume a sober cast, the lines would deepen, and the tones of voice would tremble per- haps with emotion — Gentlemen, these are all deadly, every one — and disgraceful as deadly ; — those flowers are all poisonous, every one, except that little group that stands in the unobserved corner. Brown would come in, his reasoning powers as sensitive to error as the eye to the floating mote, or the smell to the fumes of sulphur ; on he would go, shaking his head at this, passing by that, and paus- ing nowhere till he met the little group of innocent sweet flowers ; and in the museum he would have felt a cold shuddering as he looked to see what these evil things were. And in recounting the whole afiair, Baxter would have kius-hed outright as he described this poisonous thing with so pretty a covering of beauteous colors, and the queerness of those death-machines praised for their ingenuity : and Brown would have laughed at Baxter as about to put on the gar- rotte as a necklace, and hug the maiden and bite the nightshade to find out what they were. In the final conclusion they would entirely agree. It would have distressed them for either to have found the oilier coming to an opposite conclusion. Both would have paused and rc-considered his course, and weighed his arguments, and 70 EEV. SAMUEL BROWN. balanced them with his brother's reasons. Eacb looked upon tX.^ other as the greater man. The people of New Providence considered their pastor as com- pletely suited to them ; they desired no other ; they could not well conceive a better. And Mr. Brown rejoiced in an eldership of men of simplicity of manners and purposes ; of sterling integrity and unfeigned piety ; and a congregation of sensible people, numerous enough for all his capabilities as a pastor, and worthy of the best exercise of those endowments of body and mind that might be fitted for any service the Lord might call. Both were contented. Under his ministry, the Old Stone Meeting House, endeared by a thousand recollections, gave place to a new brick building. And as his own log dwelling was about to be exchanged for a convenient brick resi- dence, nearly completed, he came suddenly to the end of life. He bad performed the services of a sacramental occasion at New Provi- dence on Saturday, Sabbath and Monday, the 10th, 11th and 12tb of October, as his people thought Avitli more than usual ability. On Tuesday, the 13th, making preparations to attend the Synod in Staunton, and giving directions to finish some parts of his house, he ate heartily at dinner, and in less than two hours was lifeless. Rev. John H. Rice, in the Evangelical and Literary Magazine for December, 1818, thus writes : — " The record of the incidents of this day (14th of October) presents something like a map of human life. In the morning we were gay and cheerful, amusing ourselves "with remarks on the country, on the comparative genius and habits of our countrymen, and a thousand things, just as the thoughts of them occurred, anticipating a joyful meeting in the evening with some well-tried, faithful and beloved friends ; when suddenly, as the flash of lightning breaks from the cloud, we were informed of the almost instantaneous death of one of the choicest of these friends, and one of the most valuable of men — the Rev. Samuel Brown. The road which we should travel led by the house in which he was accustomed to preach ; and on inquiring for it, we were asked if we were going to the funeral ! Thus, as in a moment, was hope turned into deep despondency, and gladness of heart exchanged for the bitterness of sorrow. " We journeyed on in moui'nful silence interrupted by occasional remarks, which showed our unwillingness to believe the truth of what had been announced, and how reluctantly hope takes her departure from the human bosom. It might have been a fainting fit, an apo- plectic stroke mistaken for the invasion of death ; and still he might be alive. The roads trampled by multitudes of horses, all directed to the dwelling of our friend, dissipated these illusions of the deceiver, and convinced us of the sad reality. Still, however, when we arrived at the church, and saw the people assembling, and the pile of red clay, the sure indication of a newly opened grave, tkrown up in the church yard, it seemed as though we were thus, for the first time, assured that Samuel Brown was dead. Only a few of the people had come together on our arrival. Some, in small groups, REV. SAMUEL BROWN. 71 were conversing in a low tone of voice interrupted by frequent and bitter sighs, and showing in strong terms, how deeply they felt their loss. Others, whose emotions were too powerful for conversa- tion, stood apart, and leaning on the tombstones, looked like pictures of woe. Presently the sound of the multitude was heard. They came on in great crowds. The elders of the church assisted in com- mitting the body to the grave. After which, solemn silence inter- rupted only by smothered sobs, ensued for several minutes. The widow stood at the head of the grave, surrounded by her children, exhibiting signs of unutterable anguish, yet seeming to say, ' It is the Lord, let him do with us what seemeth unto him good.' After a little time, on a signal being given, some young men began to fill the grave. The first clods that fell on the coffin, gave forth the most mournful sound I ever heard. At that moment of agony the chorister of the congregation was asked to sing a specified hymn, to a tune known to be a favorite one of the deceased minister. The voice of the chorister faltered so that it required several efibrts lo raise the tune; the whole congregation attempted to join him, but at first the sound was rather a scream of anguish than music. As they advanced, however, the precious truths expressed in the words; of the hymn seemed to enter into their souls. Their voices became more firm, and while their eyes streamed with tears, their countenances were radiant with Christian hope, and the singing of the last stanza was like a shout of triumph. The words of the hymn are well known. — " ' When I can read my title clear.' By the time that these words were finished, the grave was closed, and the congregation in solemn silence retired to their homes. We lodged all night with one of the members of the church. The family seemed bereaved, as though the head of the household had just been buried. Every allusion to the event too, brought forth a flood of tears. I could not help exclaiming, ' behold how they loved him.' And I thought the lamentation of fathers and mothers, of young men and maidens, over their departed pastor, a more eloquent and affect- ing eulogium, than oratory with all its pomp and pretensions could pronounce. After this I shall not attempt panegyric. Let those who wish to know the character of Samuel Brown go and see the sod that covers his body, wet with the tears of his congregation." Mr. Brown left a widow and ten children, seven sons and three daugliters. A sketch of his widow has appeared in the preceding volume. In about six years she followed her husband to the tomb, and lies by his side. The successor of Samuel Brown, and third preacher of New Provi- dence is James Morrison, now filling the pulpit. He became the son-in-law of the widow, and a true brother of the children. 72 HANOVER PRESBYTERY. CHAPTER VI. HANOVER PRESBYTERY, FROM ITS RECONSTRUCTION, 1758, TO THE FORMATION OF ORANGE PRESBYTERY, 1770. In the reconstruction of Presbyteries that followed the union of the Synods of New York and Philadelphia, in 1758, the Hanover Presbytery included, with the exception of Mr. John Hoge of Fred- erick County, all the Presbyterian ministers south of the Potomac, in connection with the two Synods, Alexander Craighead, Samuel Bl.'ick, John Craig, Samuel Davies, Alexander Miller, John Todd, Rf>bert Henry, John Brown, John Wright, and John Martin. The first meeting was held July 12th, 1758, in Mr. Wright's congrega- tion in Cumberland County. "Agreed that all the appointments of the former Presbytery of Hanover, that are not yet complied with, shall continue in force, as far as they are consistent with the union (>f the Synods." Under this order the ordination of Messrs. Rich- ardson and Pattillo took place, the necessary steps having been taken by the former Presbytery. I Members of Hanover Presbytery. Rev. Henry Pattillo, the eighth in order, was an alumnus of Mr. Davies. A sketch of him appears in the Sketches of North Carolina. Rev. William Richardson, the ninth in order, was an Englishman by birth, and became a member of the family of Mr. Davies. Respecting some religious books sent him, Mr. Davies •writes, June 3d, 1757 — "In their names and my own, I heartily thank the Society in Glasgow for their liberal and well chosen bene- faction. Mr. Richardson (now a resident in my family) and myself will divide them according to direction, and endeavor to distribute them to the best advantage." At Providence, Louisa County, the Committee, Messrs. Todd, Wright, and Davies, met according to appointment to hear Mr. Pattillo's trials — "Mr. William Richardson attending upon the Committee to offer himself upon trials for the ministry of the gospel, was taken sick, and unable to pass an exami- nation. But the members of the Committee having had consider- able acquaintance with his progress in learning by their private conversation with him, conclude they have sufficient reason to dis- pense with his trials at this time, in so extraordinary a case ; and appoint him to prepare a sermon on John iii. 2, ' We know thou art a teacher come from God ;' and an Exegesis on the question — Unde apparet necessitas Christi Mortis ut Peccatores servati sint ? — as a second part of trial to be determined at the next Presbytery." At Cub Creek, in the September following, after the licensure of Mr. REV. WILLIAM RICHARDSON. 73 Pattillo, the examination of Mr. Richardson in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, Logic, Ontology, Natural and Moral Philosophy, Geography and Astronomy, was held and approved ; his religious experience, and exegesis, and sermon were heard and also approved — and they " appoint him a sermon on 2 Cor. v. 17, to be delivered at our next Committee at Wm. Smith's in Cumberland, the last Wednesday of October; and they appoint Messrs. Davies, Henry, Wright, and Todd, a Committee for that purpose." On the 25th of October, the Committee sustained the sermon, and appointed another on John vi. 44, first clause — and a Lecture on 2 Cor. 4:1 — 7. At Captain Anderson's, in Cumberland, Jan. 25th, 1758, Mr. Richardson de- livered the sermon and lecture. After examination — "on various subjects of Divinity, the Presbytery received his assent to, and approbation of, the Westminster Confession of Faith, as the confes- sion of his faith, also the Catechism and Directory, and proceeded to license him ; and appointed the Moderator, Mr. Davies, to give him some admonitions with regard to the discharge of his office." April 26th, 1758, at Providence, Louisa, Mr. Richardson opened Presbytery with a sermon according to appointment, which was accepted as preparatory for ordination. On the next day he was ordered to take a missionary tour through the upper part of Nox'th Carolina ; and also to attend a meeting of Presbytery at Captain Anderson's, in Cumberland, on July 12th, with an exegesis on — " Num Sabbatum Judaicum post Christi resurrectionem, in primum diem hebdomadis mutatum?" On the appointed day the Presbytery met, and on the next day proceeded to the ordination of Henry Pattillo and William Richardson. Mr. Davies delivered on the occasion, number seventy-one of his printed sermons, — " The love of souls a necessary qualification for the ministerial office." To the end of the sermon, is appended the ordination service of the occa- sion. At the meeting of Presbytery to consider the application for the removal of Mr. Davies to Princeton, Mr. Richardson was not present. Mr. Davies, " in the name of the society for promoting Christianity among the Indians, petitioned the Presbytery that Mr. Richardson should be permitted to go as a missionary among the Indians, as soon as his health will permit ; to which the Presbytery heartily agreed." Sept. 27th, 1758, at Hanover, he was "appointed to preside at Mr. Craighead's installation, at Rocky River in North Carolina, on his way out to the Cherokee nation." In 1760, he joined the Presbytery of South Carolina, not in connexion with the Synod. There are further notices of his labors in North and South Carolina, in the Sketches of North Carolina. His foster child and heir, William Richardson Davie, was noted in the war of the Re- volution and the Civil History of North Carolina, as a soldier of bravery, and a politician of influence. Rev. Andrew Millar, the tenth member, came from the pari-.li of Ardstraw, in Ireland ; and in 1753 applied to the Phila- deljjkia Synod for admission — "He acknowledged he was degraded 74 REV. ANDREW MILLAR. by the Presbytery of Letterkenny, and sub-Synod of Londonderry, and General Synod of Ireland, but complained, that they had treated him hardly and unjustly." The Synod after considering his case — " think they would act wrong to encourage a man which is cast out of their churches, till we hear for what reasons, and we would warn all the Societies under our care, to give him no encouragement as a minister till his character is cleared." In 1755, he appeared before Synod and handed in "a penitential acknowledgement to transmit" — to Ireland to procure reconciliation between him and the Presby- tery of Letterkenny, or the Synod of Dungannon. The next year, he came again with "a supplication from Cook's Creek and Peeked Mountain, requesting us to receive Mr. Alexander Millar as a full member, and to appoint his instalment as a regular pastor." These congregations were composed of emigrants from Ireland; Cook's Creek on the south-west, and Peeked Mountain north-eastward of Harrisonburg, the present county seat of Rockingham county. Some steps were taken by the Synod to comply with this request, and some discretionary power was granted Messrs. Black and Craig, " to receive him as a member and instal him, provided they find his conduct in that part of Christ's vineyard, such as becomes a gospel minister," in prospect of some letters being received from Ireland, favorable to Mr. Millar's standing, " in the fall when the ships are arrived from Ireland." Messrs. Black and Craig did not proceed in the affair. The request from the congregation was renewed in May, 1757 — " and the Synod unanimously agree to receive him as a member, and order, that Mr. Craig instal him accordingly, at some convenient time, before the first of next August ; and that he give him to understand, that it is the judgment of the Synod, that he ought to be content with the bounds fixed by the committee for that purpose." He was installed and registered as a member of Done- gal Presbytery ; but was not content with his bounds. He wished the line between his congregation and Mr. Craig's, should be more central, and approach nearer the Stone Church and Mossy Creek, and carried the matter before Hanover Presbytery in 17t>0. The matter was decided against him, " as Mr. Craig's bounds on that side are very moderate, and as the people on the limits contended for, earnestly petition that they may be continued under their own pastor." In 1764, we find him in difficulties with his congregations. Preparations were also made by Presbytery to investigate some charges, unfavorable to his morals, against his conduct while on a missionary tour in North Carolina. On these charges he was de- posed June 5th, 1766, by the Presbytery of Hanover. The matter was carried to Synod, 1769. Steps were taken for a hearing, "in the mean time on account of Mr. Millar's unjustifiable delay for some years to enter his complaint — the irregularity of his proceed- ings — the atrocious nature of the crimes laid to his charge — we do hereby declare him suspended from the exercise of the minis- terial office, till his complaint can be fully heard." ^ Mr. Millar then gave in a paper renouncing the authority of the REV. SAMUEL BLACK — HUGH M'ADEN. 75 Synod. " The Synod therefore declare he is not a member of this body, and forbid all their Presbyteries and congregations to employ him." Rev. Samuel Black, the eleventh in order, a probationer from Ireland, was received by New Castle Presbytery. His ordi- nation took place at the Forks of Brandywine, in 1737. He soon after removed to Virginia, and took his residence among the Scotch- Irish population that had seated themselves on Rockfish river, at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge, in Nelson County, as the State is now divided, and not far from Rockfish Gap. In every respect, his situation was well chosen ; the people were enterprising, the soil good, the climate favorable, the position for trade showing its superiority every year as improvements advance, and the community a church-going people by habit. In the division of the Synod, he went with the Synod of Philadelphia, and was a member of the Pres- bytery of Donegal. On the reconstruction of Presbyteries, he was assigned to Hanover ; but never met with them in session. An amiable man, of a retiring disposition, as infirmities came upon him he secluded himself more and more from public labors of the min- istry. Some difficulties arose, and some charges were brought against him by a portion of the congregations, as reasons why Presbytery should grant them another minister. The Presbytery proceeded with great caution and tenderness, and the difficulties were in part adjusted. Mr. Black retired from public services altogether, ovring to these difficulties and his own sensitive feelings, sooner than he would have done in other circumstances. His family, as kind and retired as himself, never urged him to a more prominent stand, or more vigorous efforts in his old age. He was orthodox in doctrine, and correct in his views of religious action and Christian principles, as has been evidenced by the fact that a goodly number of pious people were found on Rockfish ; and his successors in the ministry saw evidence that God had blessed the ministry of his word by him. No production of his pen remains; and no great act marked the even tenor of his way. His influence, like that of multitudes, will be known in its wider or narrower diflusion, at the great day. He died about the year 1771. Rev. Hugh M'Aden, the 12th in order, was received from New Castle Presbytery, July 18th, 1759. His memoir is found in the Sketches of North Carolina. Rev. Richard Sankey, (sometimes spelled Zankey), the 13th member, was ordained by Donegal Presbytery, in 1738. His admission to the sacred office was delayed by a circumstance recorded in the Minutes of Synod the year he touk his seat. The Synod upon considering a remonstrance sent up for the purpose, Bay — " That though they cannot but greatly condemn and censure 76 REV. RICHARD SANKEY. "KT .Ir. Sankey's conduct, in acting the plagiary in transcribing notes out of printed authors, thereby to impose upon the Presbytery, giving them a false view of his ministerial powers ; and in sending the same notes to another candidate to enable hira to impose upon his Presbytery in the same manner, as well as for his greatest imprudence in sending such heretical notes abroad, whereby most dangerous errors came to be vended ; yet considering that Mr. Sankey was sharply admonished by his Presbytery, that his trials were sometime stopt, and his ordination a considerable time de- layed on account of this, his conduct, we shall now lay no further censure upon him, but judge the Presbytery was defective in not taking notice in their Minutes of his being such a plagiary, or cen- suring him on that account." In his after life he seems never to have expressed any inclination towards the sin of his youth ; and probably justified the Prebytery and Synod in their treatment of his thoughtlessness, not to say his crime, in which they mingled leniency with the severity of their rebuke. lie was settled in the ministry near Carlisle. His congregation, like himself, were of Scotch-Irish extract. He signed the protest of 1741 ; and his people adhered to the old side, and belonged to the Synod of Philadelphia. The troubles of the Indian wars suc- ceeding the defeat of Braddock, particularly those connected with the Paxton boys, induced the congregation to seek a residence in the more peaceful frontiers of southern Virginia. They took their abode in the fertile regions on Buffalo Creek, in Prince Edward, and around the place now known as Walker's church, lying between Cumberland congregation and Cub Creek, and on one side closely adjoining Briery congregation. And considering the distances people would then ride to church, the congregations of Cub Creek, Briery, Buffalo, Walker's church and Cumberland, occupied a large region of country. The Ilev. William Calhoon in a letter to F. N. Watkins, says — "He was a very old man when I first knew him. From the time I kneAV him he was a small man, very bowlegged ; when his feet would be together, his knees would be six inches apart. His face was rather square, with high cheek bones. He wore a wig and bands. His manner in preaching was to lean on the pulpit, perhaps on account of his age, with his Bible open before him. After announcing his text and dividing his subject, he made remarks on each head, and occupied much of the time in fortifying the doctrine by other passages of Scripture to Avhich he would turn and read, giving book, chapter, and verse. He was considered a superior Hebrew scholar ; often carried his Hebrew Bible into the pulpit, and used it in his criticiams and quotations, using in the general the language of the common English Bible. In the war of the revolution, though advanced in years, Mr. Sanky was decided for the liberties of his country. His name appears honorably on some of the papers prepared by his Presbytery ot lasting interest in political and religious liberty. While able to ride he attended the meetings of the judicatories of the church; and REV. JAMES WADDELL — REV. JAMES HUNT. 77 in his old age there were instances of the Presbytery hohling their meeting in his church to accommodate his infirmities, as in the case of the ordination of Mr. Mitchel. He held the office of a minister of the gospel more than half a century, some thirty of which he spent in Virginia, with an unblemished reputation. He closed his career in the year 1790. His congregations have flourished. Buf- falo enjoyed the labors of Matthew Lyle, and now is served by Mr, Cochran. Walker's Church has had a variety of ministers and of success. Among others, Mr. Roberts labored there for years, not without success. Rev. James "Waddell, D.D., together with his congregation, in the Northern Neck of Virginia, have their place in the first volume of Sketches of Virginia. Rev. James Hunt, the fifteenth member, was the son of the James Hunt, conspicuous in the scenes of a religious nature in Han- over County, previous to the visit of Mr. Robinson, and during the times of Davies. His preparation for College was made at the school under the direction of Mr. Todd, and patronized by Mr. Davies : his degree was conferred at the College of New Jersey, in 1759, the summer Mr. Davies removed from Virginia to become President of the College. His theological education was completed under the direction of New Brunswick Presbytery, by whom he was licensed and ordained. It is probable that he pursued the study of theology under the instruction of his beloved pastor, the President of the Col- lege, Mr. Davies. At Tinkling Spring, Oct. 7th, 1761, he produced his credentials, and was admitted member of Hanover Presbytery. He made a tour through North Carolina, preaching to great acceptance, and in April, 1762, at Goochland, the Presbytery put in his hands " A call from Roan and Anson Counties, North Carolina, to which he is to give an answer by our fall Presbytery, or sooner, if he sees fit ; and if he docs accept it, and declare his acceptance to the moderator," (Mr. Craighead), " he is empowered to install him. The two con- gregations engage to pay him X80 each per annum." These calls he declined. Visiting the counties of Lancaster and Northumber- land, in Virginia, where Messrs. Davies and Todd had been gather- ing members of the church, with the aid of Whitefield and others, he was encouraged by the prospects of usefulness to remain some time. Pleased with the people, who excelled in social manners, and they being interested in him as a gospel minister, preparations were making to have him settled as pastor. In the mean time, James Waddell, licensed by Hanover Presbytery, April, 1761, at the time Mr. Hunt joined Presbytery, and preachuig with great favor in dif- ferent parts of the country, made, after repeated mvitations, a visit to the Northern Neck. Col. Gordon and others preferring him to any candidate they were likely to obtain, and there being a prospect of securing his services with a larger field of usefulness, Mr. Hunt thought proper to withdraw from a people to whom he felt greatly 78 REV. DAVID EICE. attached, and seek another location. Mr. Waddell was eventually settled as pastor. At a meeting, Oct., 1762, at Providence, Louisa County, "Mr. Waddell accepts of a call from Lancaster and Northumherland Coun- ties, in which the Presbytery heartily concur;" Mr. Wright's trial was completed, and he " is hereby suspended until we shall see suf- ficient reason to restore him ;" and " Mr. Hunt having requested a dismission from this Presbytery, as he expects to settle in Pennsylva- nia, Mr. Todd is directed to give him credentials when he shall apply." Mr. Hunt passed the great part of his ministerial life in Montgo- mery County, Maryland, in the neighborhood of Rockville. For many years he was at the head of a flourishing classical and mathema- tical school, extensively known, and deservingly held in high esteem. Among the numerous pupils may be named William Wirt, Esq., who attended his school about four years ; and laid the foundation for his literary excellence under the instruction, and in the library of Mr. Hunt. For two years young Wirt was a member of Mr. Hunt's family. This gentleman took special pains to encourage his pupil to efforts in composition, and for improvement in declamation ; and having high ideas of the importance of both of these exercises, he stimulated young Wirt to efforts in public speaking that gained him the prize at the annual examination and exhibition. His son, William Pitt Hunt, opened his office, at Montgomery Court House, to young Wirt to commence the study of law ; and after some years lie removed to Virginia, the place of his father's birth. His widow, a Miss Watkins, became the second wife of Moses Hoge, D.D., and has left a memory in the churches which is blessed. The sixteenth member, David Rice, was born in Hanover County, December 20th, 1733. His parents Avere plain farmers, in moderate circumstances, of Welch extraction. His mind was deeply impressed with religious things early in life. He witnessed the excitement produced by the readings of Morris and his companions, and the preaching of Robinson. Under the preaching of Mr. Davies he was hopefully converted. When about twenty years of age he became a pupil of the school conducted by Mr. Todd with the assist- ance of James Waddell. So anxious was he to procure an education, that, to meet the expenses, he raised a hogshead of tobacco with his own hands and commenced his studies. Afterwards he taught an English school ; and sometimes both taught and studied, till his health began to give way. Then for a time a connexion gave him. his board. His classical course was completed at Nassau Hall. President Davies made him the beneficiary of some funds sent annu- ally, from London, for the purpose of assisting in the education of young men of promise, in narrow circumstances. This supply ceasing on the death of Mr. Davies, Mr. Richard Stockton became his almoner, saying, " I have, in a literal sense, ventured my bread on the waters, having a ship at sea. If it founders, you must repay the sum I advance ; if ii returns safe, I will venture in the figurativ T REV. DAVID RICE. 79 sense." The vessel returned safe, and Mr. Stockton declined the repayment offered some two years after. Mr. Rice was graduated the year Mr. Davies died, 1761. He pursued the study of Theology, in preparation for the ministry, under the direction of Mr. Todd, and was received as a candidate for the ministry at the Bird Meet- ing-Houso in Goochland, April 8th, 1762. He passed part of his trials in the June following, in Prince Edward, and part in the fol- lowing October at Providence, in Louisa ; and on the 9th of the following November, at Deep Creek, opened the Presbytery with a sermon on 2 Tim. 2 : 19, " Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." In the afternoon of the same day, at the house of Mr. Hollands, he was licensed to preach the gospel. In October, 1763, at Cub Creek — "Mr. Rice accepts a call from Mr. Davies' former congregation, in which the Presbytery cheerfully concur." On the 28th of December of the same year, he opened the Presbytery at Hanover lower meeting-house, with his trial sermon for ordination, on 2 Tim. 2:3, " Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ:" and on the next day was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry, and set as pastor of the church in and about Hanover ; Mr. Pattillo presiding. la less than three years circumstances, unfriendly to the welfare of the congregation, led to the following record of Presbytery, April 18th, 1766, Mr. Rice — "petitions the Presbytery for a dismission from his congregation in and about Hanover, on condition that the difi'erences now subsisting in said congregation are not made up in the space of three or four months ; which the Presbytery grants." In October of the same year, at Cub Creek, Mr. Rice received a call — "from the congregations of Bedford, which he accepts, and in which the Presbytery concur." The difficulties in Hanover were not between Mr. Rice and the people, but between the peo- ple themselves, particularly some of the leading men. These not being settled, Mr. Rice thought it better to remove. In April, 1767, the records of Presbytery say — "that the parties had amicably composed themselves, and are restored to peace." Emigrations from Hanover to the frontiers were now frequent. Many of the most pious and active persons were in a little tmie in other congre- gations ; and this people so signally blessed of God for a series of years became weak as other men. The emigrants, black and white, wherever they went carried the spirit of the gospel, as manifested by Davies, to the frontiers of Virginia and JNorth Carolina. The cliurches of Christ were multiplied, while Hanover dwindled. "Whether the leading men were jealous of each other, or simply missed the guiding power of Davies ; or whether Davies himself under the inliuence of the spirit of emigration that pervaded his flock, could have kept up its relative importance, are matters for sober reflection, but no certain decision. The church of Davies still exists in feebleness among the churches of Christ, having seen days of depression and some days of reviving. iu October, 1768, Mr. Rice stated to Presbytery — "that he was m KEY. DAVID RICE. entangled In a suit brought against him by Mr. Millar, in Augusta Court, for pretended slander in transmitting a minute of Presbytery which respected said Millar's trial and deposition ; which he, the said Rice did, as Clerk of Presbytery ; which suit considerably affected the Presbyterian interest in this colony. The Presbytery think it necessary that some of our me.nbers attend said Court, when this suit is to be determined, and represent the affair in a proper light : and do, therefore, appoint Messrs. Todd and Brown to attend said Court for that purpose." Mr. Millar did not prosecute the suit. In October, 1771, he was directed by Presbytery to supply Cub Creek one-fourth of his time. To this he assented — "unless the Bale of land at that Creek, where he resided, and the purchase in Bedford prevented." On the 30th of October, 1777, he took advice of Presbytery whether he should continue in the relation which existed between him and Concord, and the Peaks, or give up one ; and if one, which ? Presbytery advised him to hold to the Peaks. He confined his labors to this large congregation for about five or six years. This period embraced the early childhood of his nephew John Holt Rice, a name dear to the Virginia church. In 1782, Mr. Rice visited Kentucky. Allured by the reports of the fertility of the soil, he wished to have the advantage of his own observation, on the important question of making it the home of Lis young and increasing family, either as a family or as emigrants when they came to years of maturity. The contending claims of speculators and the unsettled state of the country, made no favor- able impression upon his mind. He preached frequently while in the country, to the great acceptance of the scattered settlements. His first sermon was at Harrod's Station; Matt. 4th, 16 — "The people which sat in darkness saw great light ; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." The people were more pleased with his ministry, than he was with the situation of aifairs in respect to land-titles, and the safety of the homesteads sought in the midst of so much danger. May 20th. 1783, at Hall's meeting house, now New Monmouth, in Augusta county — "a call from the united congregations of Cane Run, Con- cord, and the Forks, in Lincoln county, was given in to be presented to Mr. Rice. On the next day Mr. Rice made a motion to be dis- missed from his congregation in Bedford — "Resolved, that he be dismissed accordingly" — Ordered, " That the call from Kentucky be presented to Mr. Rice." The call was presented and accepted. He speedily removed to the "dark and bloody ground." In Vir- ginia he had been forward in every good work. He was a trustee of Hampden Sidney College ; was active in the measures to carry on the work of the Revolution ; diligent in his calling as a minister of the gospel ; and acceptable to the congregations in Virginia. Under his care the Peaks flourished and required his entire labor. He is called "Father Rice" in Kentucky, being the first Presbyte- rirn minister that settled in that State. The active part he took in ewerj thing relating to the prosperity of the infant settlements of REV. DAVID RICE. 81 Western Virginia — and the faithfulness and labors by which he merited the name of " Patriarch of the Kentucky Presbyterian Church," are recorded in Davidson s History of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky. No histoi-y of Kentucky, whether of Church or State, can be complete without extended notice of the labors of David Rice. In fact, a Biography of this man would necessarily embrace the most interesting events in the literary, political, and religious movements of Kentucky, in its early days ; and with some of his published writings, would form a volume of permanent use- fulness. Mr. Rice was married to Mary, daughter of Rev. Samuel Blair, the preceptor of Davies ; he reared a family of eleven children. Many of his descendants are in Virginia ; and some in the ministry. He lived to an advanced age. For the last three years of his life, he was prevented from preaching and writing, by the gradual decay of nature. His religious exercises were of a heavenly character. He died June 18th, 1816, in his 83d year. His last words were — " Oh, when shall I be free from sin and sorrow." The following sketch is from the pen of the mother of Mrs. Rice, and will find its way to the hearts of the numerous descendants of Mr. Blair and Mr. Rice, and many others that fear God and know a mother's de- sires for the salvation of her children. October 8th, 17G3. My Dear Children — It is my concern for your souls' welfare, as well after my decease as whilst I am present with you, that I seem to be irresistibly urged to leave you a few sentences to peruse ; and if it should please a gracious God to bless them to you — as the reading of any thing of the like kind, that appeared to be honest and without show of ostentation, has been to me — my design, as far as I am judge of myself, will be fully answered. And now, searcher of the hearts and trier of the intents and actions of thy creatures, if my design be any other than I here profess, discover to me the fraud before I proceed any farther. My design at this time shall not be to give you a narrative or diary of what I have experienced, of as I trust, the Lord's gra- cioiis dealings towards me, for that would be too great ; and as 1 did not prosecute that begun work in my young days, I could not now recollect without adding or diminishing. What discour- ages me now, was that same reason when I first attempted, is, that I believe the Lord did not give me such enlargement of judg- ment that I should be useful to any but such as I am nearly con- nected with, who, I hope, will make no bad use of any thing that may not appear with such embellishments as the public would require. HoAvever, that now is for my design in these few lines. When I was about the age of fifteen, or soon after, it pleased a gracious God to stop me in my career of youthful follies, and to make sweet religion to appear the most noble course a rational crea- ture could pursue. And what first brought me to reflect was ; 6 82 REV. DAVID RICE. that summer I was visited with one affliction after another ; first, the measles, and then the intermitting fever, and then the whooping cough — all to no great purpose, until hy my being brought so low I apprehended myself in a decay, which put me to think I should set about reformation, a work which I thought only consisted in growing serious, and praying often, with other duties. When having an opportunity of hearing Messrs. Gilbert and John Tennent, they engaged me more, and strengthened me in my resolution to devote myself to religion. But the bed was too strait for me. I was often allured into my former vain company to the wounding of con- science and the breach of resolutions ; was like a hell upon earth, and put often to think that the day of grace was over, and I might as well give up with all. However, it pleased a gracious God again to strengthen and encourage me to wrestle and cry for free mercy, and that in myself I could do nothing, nor keep the least resolution I could make. But soon after the way of salvation in and through Christ, was clearly and sweetly opened to me in such a point of light that it appeared to me I had not lived or breathed or known what pleasure was before then. I then got victory over sin and the devil. But oh ! how soon Satan came with another hideous tempta- tion, which was blasphemy. This, as I had never felt or heard of be- fore, filled me with such horror, that I was near being overcome with an unnatural sin. But as the distress was great, the deliverance was greater, wdiich made me loathe myself, and almost life, and say with Job : " I would not live always." I was then persuaded by my dear minister, John Tennent, to join in communion with the people of God in the precious ordinance of the Lord's Supper. AVhich, though I could scarcely be prevailed on to venture, and though with trembling, lest I should meet with a salutation of " Friend, how camest thou hither ?" I know not Avhether ever I had a greater dis- covery of the dying love of a dear Redeemer. It appeared so clear to the eyes of my understanding that for a little while I saw nothing of the world besides. Then 1 went on my way rejoicing, singing in the Psalmist : ^' Return unto thy rest, ! my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." I thought then 1 should never sin more ; never indulge sloth or inactivity, or wandering thoughts, for sin had got such a dash it would no more have any access to my spirit : but sad experience soon made me wiser, and L was left, not many days after, to go mourning without the sun. So my cliariot wheels moved slowly for many days. Though, blessed be God, a sense of religion, and my deep obligations still remained with me, and I was assiduous for the good of poor sinners ; taking such opportunities as fell in my way, and such of my acquaintance as I had access to. And in the way of my duty i suftered much re- viling, but was not suffered to be moved thereby, though young, and religion at that time an uncustomary thing, and not much of morality only among the aged. And now, my dear children, let me enjoin this duty on you, to make conscience of your conversation and words. You may REV. DAVID RICE. 83 be apt to excuse yourselves with, that you are young, and it does not become you to talk of religion, and that is the minister's part. But if you have received the grace of God, have you re- ceived it in vain, or only for yourselves ? Has not the Lord deposed a trust in your hands — his glory and honor — and should you not every way strive to advance it ? At that time I was much perplexed with my own heart : spiritual pride seemed as if it would undo me, for I concluded at some times as if it was the spring of all my actions. This I groaned under ; but sometimes was tempted to cast away all for my ignorance of divine life. And the depth of Satan made me conclude that there never was a child of God that had ever the least rising of such a horrid feeling, and so much akin to the devil. But conversing with a humble, honest woman, I found that she was wrestling under the same, and so I got new courage to fight this Apollyon, and so from time to time I was helped. As I let down my watch, and grew cold and formal, and to backsliding from him, the Lord left me to such exercises as cost ^ me broken bones before I was restored to a sense of his favor. As I informed you, I cannot recollect the particular exercises at such a distance ; if I can but say : " Here, on my heart, the impress lies, The joys, the sorrows of the mind." What reason have I this day to praise my heavenly father, who is a father to the fatherless, in providing for me such a companion in life, when my fond fancy would sometimes have led me to choose one that had little or no religion ! Oh ! the goodness of God in pre- venting me then, and at other times, when I had formed schemes to ruining myself. This, my dear children, I would have you care- fully to ponder and beg for direction in before proceeding in such an affair in which your happiness for this world, if not the next, depends. Let the words of the inspired apostle be the moving spring of all your actions : "the glory of God." But, although 1 was blest with the best of husbands, (and you the best of fathers,) yet how unbecomingly did I act in that particular ! How often have I dishonored religion by my pride, self-will and self-love ! And here, with sorrow, occurs an instance of it. When I was called to a self-denying duty, for the sake of my friends and native place, to come to Pennsylvania, how many excuses did I make to get my shoulders from under the yoke ! and to prevail with my venerable husband not to go ! And although he did not consult flesh and blood in the way of duty, yet when the Lord so remarkably smiled upon his labors, I hope 1 saw my error. This is, and shall be matter of grief to me while i live. Oh ! may it never be a witness against me that I was so unwilling to come to the help of the Lord. Free mercy I plead, and I trust I was made to see and feel that if any man sin, there is an advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ. My care for your immortal part never left me in the midst of all my own perplexities and fears ; and when I had freedom for myself, your happiness Avas next to my oayu. Before your entrance into 84 REV. DAVID RICE. the world, (or before you drew the vital breath of life) my concern for you came next, which prompted me at one time to spend some time more than common to implore heaven in your behalf. It pleased God by his gracious influence to smile upon me and encourage my faith and trust for you. Now let this be an excite- ment to you, to be earnest for the salvation of your own souls, and, as it were, to storm heaven — offer violence to your carnal selves. For though none can win heaven by all they can do, yet the com- mand is, " Give all diligence :" he that sows sparingly, shall reap so. Otherwise it shall avail nothing that you have so many petitions put up for you. No doubt Darid often prayed for his wicked son Absalom, but we do not read of his saving change. It pleased the Lord farther at that time to strengthen my hope in this instance, in that your oldest brother was more than ordinarily solicitous to know what he should do to be saved, and took all opportunities to converse with such as could direct him the way to heaven. More than ordinarily, I say, because there are too lamentably few that at eight or nine years, are much concerned about the matter. But his sudden and admonishing death, at less than twelve years, may con- vince others that no age nor state is exempted — here I must stop, and mourn now, because I unreasonably grieved for his removal as if the Lord had not a sovereign right to do with all his creatures as ' he pleased ; which gave birth for every discontented thought, and liberty for Satan with all his artillery of hideous injections to destroy my peace and that submission that became a creature, and much more one that had been the subject of such favors as I trust I was. And though I was at times helped and could sweetly acquiesce in the divine will, yet it was never cured till a greater stroke was felt. And now "distress," as Young observes in the like case, "distress became distraction." And though, as the case was distressing for a father to be removed from being the head of a young family, the eldest not fourteen years, the Lord was pleased, to me a poor sinful _ creature, to strengthen me in such a Avay four days before the removal of my dearest friend upon earth ; yet how soon did I lose sight of the promises and grow discontented ; and although my temptations were different from the first in the death of my dear son, yet they were as aggravating and as pernicious to religion as the other. Life became a burden: nothing seemed to me more desirable than death, Jonah like, because I had not my desire, insensible of what or how I should die, or of the blessing of life and of the mercy of being with you. Oh ! how little do we know what spirits we are of ! And how weak is our strength when we are not able to go with the footmen when left ! how should we, if called, be able to resist even unto blood, when left to ourselves ? It pleased God in about a twelvemonth after, to remove my youngest son Isaac, which brought my sin to remembrance in caring so unsuitably in the last dispensation. My grief for his removal, as to myself, was not probably as much as it should be, for, at that time, 1 thought nothing could make another wound, but as I concluded it REV. DAVID RICE. 85 was for my sin that he was removed from all hopes of usefulness ; every affliction throughout that time appeared but small compara- tively — in comparison to the other two. But my God strengthened and upheld me through all my difficulties, and made me taste the sweetness of his promises and rely upon them with a firm confidence that my Maker was my husband^ and that he had betrothed me to himself in judgment and in righteousness, and that I was still and should be the care of a kind Providence in all respects, as glory to his great name, we have been. This has been my refuge in all my difficulties that unavoidably Avill arise in a world of sin and temp- tation, and from contracted circumstances, as being the alone head of a family as to your support which has been always redressed better than I could ever think it would. And now, my dear chil- dren, I have given you some brief sketches of my life, and I wish it had been with less imperfections. I may with more justness call it out-breakings, but that the riches of free grace might be mani- fested to the greatest of sinners. As to my comforts or sweet manifestations of God's love in Jesus Christ and out-goings of soul, I have shunned to make much mention of, though my consolations have been neither few nor small ; blessed, forever blessed be his holy name. And farther, as my eternal state is not decided and I am yet in a world of sin and temptation, I thank my God I enjoy, at times, peace and serenity of mind and a good degree, and that I trust I am not deceived as to the state of my soul. And now, my dear children, may we be so happy through the riches of free grace in Christ Jesus, to meet at last at the right hand of God when He makes up his jewels, and be able to say, here am I and the children that God has graciously given me. Amen. If I should be judged by any of you so hard, as that I wanted to set myself ofi" in your esteem, I think there is nothing in this relation that can give birth to such a surmise, as I told you in the beginning that I could not somehow get peace or satisfaction, as I looked upon it as a duty undone not to speak a few words to you after I could not speak after the manner 1 now do, and as I had often sifted the impulse, so when I was sick, March, 1763, when it pleased a gracious God to restore me again to you, I promised in my mind, as I think I wanted my life should not be altogether use- less to you every way that I could, to attempt your good and com- fort ; and oh ! that I may be enabled as long as life lasts, to do some little for God's glory, as I have done to dishonor that religion I have professed. And now, my dear children, 1 can't conclude with more striking words than the words of your dying father; and may they ever be as a monitor to you, to see to it, that none of you be want- ing, which I would now reinforce; and that you may be kept from evils that youth are exposed to, especially vain, light company, and even those that may be possessors too, for all have not grace that may make a large possession, and of such you may be in greater danger than of others. Therefore, live near God, and every day seek direction how to conduct your life, and grace to live the life 86 REV. DAVID RICE. of faith and mortification of sin. And now that you may he directed and conducted through this ensnaring world and he made meet for the inheritance of the saints in glory, is the desire of your mother that has always desired your eternal happiness. F. B. P. S. This covenant was made, or to the same effect, in the year 1731, (it was lost, and this is now the reason of my renewing it in writing), in the same month, if I rememher right, that I now renew it. happy day, when for some few days after, I was often, at my Avorldly employment, made to say, in the language of the blessed apostle, that I knew no man after the flesh. A heaven upon earth I then enjoyed, sin, I thought, had got a greater blow than I found soon after, to my cost, it wholly had. But I trust this day it had its beginning which will be perfected in glory at last. Aug. 14th, 1763. — thou eternal and ever blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who is the searcher of all hearts, thou knowest my sincerity, and what I am now about to do, and what thou hast commanded me to do ; thou art a present witness to this solemn transaction of my soul, which I am now about to renew — even a cove- nant dedication of myself, my soul, my body, and all I have or pos- sess, to be at thy disposal. It was thy free grace, through thy dear son, that first inclined my heart to fall in with this only method of escape from deserved Avrath, through the alone merits of Jesus Christ, my only Saviour, and I do noAV here ratify the sacred obligation that was made for me in baptism, and that I trust I have solemnly and sincerely and voluntarily entered under, and sworn with the symbols of Christ's blood in my heart. I desire to present myself, with the deepest abasement, sensible how unworthy I am to come before the holy majesty of heaven and earth in any act of service ; and were it not that I am invited by the name of thy dear Son to trust in his perfect righteousness, I might indeed tremble to take hold of thy covenant. 1 do this day, with the full consent of will, surrender myself to thy disposal, to be ruled and governed in such manner as shall answer the purposes of thy glory. I leave future events to thy management. Command or require of me what thou wilt, only give me strength to perform, and I shall cheerfully obey. And although I have, in a thousand instances, broken my solemn engagements in times past, and my treacherous heart has turned aside from thee, yet I do now earnestly implore thy Holy Spirit to assist me for the time to come, with more steadfastness to perform my vows. May I be safely conducted through life. As by thy power alone I shall be able to stand, let no temptation to sin, no allurement to the world, no attachment to flesh and blood, nor death nor hell force me to vio- late my sacred engagements to be thine. Oh, let me never live to apostatize from thee. my dear glorious Creator, w4iy didst thou em- ploy thy thoughts from all eternity for me ? Why was I not with some of my species, left to all the vice my nature was inclined to ? Why did thy Spirit strive with me so long, and even after, I trust, I had tasted of thy love in pardoning so guilty a wretch as I am, JAMES CRESWELL — CHARLES CUMMINGS — ^SAMUEL LEAKE. 87 •who SO often has crucified the Lord of Glory afresh, that even then that prayer was for me if upright : " Father forgive them." And now, may I, with humble trust and confidence, say, my Beloved is mine, and his desire is towards me, and therefore it is that my desire is towards him. Heaven and earth, and woods and vales, and all sur- rounding angels witness for me, that I am devoted to Thee^ and when 1 will falsely or presumptuously deviate from this solemn engage- ment, let my own words testify against me. And now, thou Al- mighty God, may this covenant made on earth, (though by a sinful creature) be ratified in Heaven, through the merits of Jesus Christ. And when the solemn hour of death comes, sti-engthen me to rely on Jesus, who, I trust, has strengthened me to renew and make this covenant ; and let me remember this day's transaction to the last moment of my life. Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is in me, who has crowned thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. With humble trust do I now subscribe my name to it. Frances Blair. James Creswell, the 17th member, pursued his studies for the ministry, while teaching school in Lancaster County, for Col. Gordon and a few neighboring gentlemen. Being highly esteemed, he was presented to Presbytery at Cub Creek, Oct. 6th, 1763, and was licensed at Tinkling Spring, May 2d, 1761. In October, 1765, at Lower Hico, in North Carolina, he opened with his trial sermon, the Presbytery met to ordain him ; and on Thursday, the 6th, was ordained by Messrs. Todd, Henry, and Pattillo, a committee ap- pointed for the purpose. He commenced his ministry with high expectations. But in a little time fell into improprieties, like Mr. Wright ; and like him passed from usefulness and honor through obloquy to forgetfulness. Rev. Charles Cummings, the 18th, finds his place with the history of the settlement of Holston, in this volume. Rev. Samuel Leake, the 19th member, has left no memo- rials of his early life. He met the Presbytery convened at Hico, North Carolina, Oct. 3d, 1765, for the ordination of Mr. Creswell, and was taken under their care. Mr, Todd having previously given him some parts of trial, they were, by consent of Presbytery, ex- hibited, and approved. Other parts were assigned him. He passed his final examination, and was licensed at the same time with Mr. Cummings, April 18th, 1766, at Tinkling Spring. The examination of these young men Avas full and particular. Mr. Leake was popu- lar as a preacher. In October, 1768, he accepted a call from Sandy River, Han, and Mayo, and preparations were made for his ordination, at Sandy River Meeting House, on the first Wednesday of the succeeding April. At Tinkhng Spring, April 12th, 1769, the records say, tliat tiie order for a Presbytery at Sandy River to ordain Mr. Leake having failed, and he naviug become convinced that he could not "perlorm his duty without intolerable latigue," 88 DAVID CALDWELL — JOSEPH ALEXANDER — THOMAS JACKSON. the Presbytery " did not think it expedient to oblige Mr. Leake to settle there against his will. Upon this Mr. Leake returns their call." He accepted a call from the Rich Cove and North Garden, Albemarle County. Mr. Tliomas .Jackson haviniz: accepted a call from Cook's Creek and Peeked Mountain, in Rockingham, Mr. Leake was called on for his trial sermon for ordination, and he and Mr. Jackson both delivered the lectures assigned, these trials being approved, a Presbytery was appointed to be held at Cook's Creek for the ordination of both, May 3d, 1770, Mr. Craig to preside, and Mr. Brown to preach the ordination sermon. His pastorate was short, being brought to its end by his death, Dec. 2d, 1775. His children grew up in the congregation, and were agreeably married and settled, possessing the amiable disposition of their father. He was succeeded in his office by William Irvin, and he in turn by James Robinson. Mr. Robinson married a daughter of Mr. Leake, Mr. Andrew Hart another. A large proportion of the very nume- rous descendants have been pious possessors of religion. The bless- ing of God has rested on his house ; the Lord has chosen from it ministers of his sanctuary. Rev. David Caldwell, the twentieth minister, was received from New Brunswick Presbyteiy, Oct. 11th, 1767. A biography of much interest was published by his successor in office, Mr. Caru- thers. A chapter embracing his life may be found in the Sketches of North Carolina. Rev. Joseph Alexander, the twenty-first member, pro- duced to Presbytery, at the Byrd in Goochland, Oct. 11th, 1767, credentials from the Presbytery of New Castle, of his licensure, and of his having received and accepted a call from Sugar Creek, North Carolina, together with a recommendation for ordination. He was ordained at Buffalo, Guilford County, North Carolina, by the Pres- bytery met to instal Mr. Caldwell. His useful life was given partly to North Carolina, and principally to South Carolina. Rev. Thomas Jackson, the twenty-second member, was re- ceived a licentiate from New York Presbytery, Oct. 6th, 1768, at Mr. Sankey's meeting-house, in Prince Edward. Being recom- mended by Presbytery and the Synod, to the Presbytery of Donegal or Hanover, he chose to be under the care of Hanover ; and Synod having recommended that he be ordained as soon as possible, a lecture and a sermon were appointed him to be delivered at the Spring meeting. At Tinkling Spring, April 12th, 1769, he opened the Presbytery with his trial sermon. He delivered his lecture in company with Mr. Leake, and having accepted the call from Peeked Mountain and Cook's Creek, he was ordained in company with Mr. Leake at Cook's Creek, on the first W^ednesday of the succeeding May. He was a successful minister, and much beloved by his charge. The people had much difficulty in fixing the places of his REV. WILLIAM IRWIN — HEZEKIAH BALCH. 89 preaching. Cook's Creek, Linvel's Creek, Peeked Mountain, and Mossy Creek, all wanted a Sabbath in the month ; and some com- plained that Cook's Creek got more than her share from her loca- tion. His race "was shorter than that of his companion in ordina- tion, Mr. Leake. He died May 10th, 1773. Rev. William Irwin, the twenty-third member, was taken on trials at Tinkling Spring, April 13th, 17G9; and licensed at the house of George Douglass, in the Cove congregation. Having accepted a call from Rockfish and Mountain Plains, he was ordained at Rockfish, April 9th, 1772. After Mr. Leake's death, in 1775, he preached for a length of time at the Cove. He was for some years Stated Clerk of Presbytery. Li the intercourse of life his manners were pleasant; in the pulpit solemn. He made careful preparation for the exercises of the sanctuary. Amiable in disposi- tion, delicate in health, he never put himself forward or affected to take the lead, in matters of Church or State. The latter part of his life was much perplexed by a difficulty brought upon him, for some trivial matters, by members of his congregation. How great a fire a little matter may kindle, may be seen by perusing the numerous pages of the record of the protracted trial before the Presbytery, written out in the beautiful penmanship of Lacy. There is proof that an amiable man may be driven frantic by the pertinacity of well-meaning indiscreet members of his church. In his defence. Dr. Waddell delivered a speech which, for argument, pathos, sarcasm, point, and flowing eloquence, surpassed, in the opinion of his young friends, all his other efforts in public. For a number of years before his death, Mr. Irwin had his residence in the Cove congregation, but through infirmity declined the pastoral office, and ceased to preach some years before his death. Rev. Hezekiah Balch, the twenty-fourth member, a licentiate of New Castle Presbytery, after preaching with accept- ance for some time in the wide bounds of Hanover, was received by the Presbytery, and ordained in March, 1770. He emigrated to Tennessee, and holds a place in the political and civil history of that State. Orange Presbytery formed. The Presbyterian ministers in North Carolina having increased to six in number, proposed the erection of a new Presbytery, by the name of Orange, having the Virginia line on the north, and indefi- nite boundaries south and west. To this the brethren in Virginia did not object. A petition sent to the Synod in May, 1770, signed by David Caldwell, Hugh M'Aden, Joseph Alexander, Henry Pat- tillo, Hezekiah Balch, and James Cresweil, asking for a Presbytery to be constituted, was granted ; and the signers were erected into a 90 TIMBER RIDGE. Presbytery, the first meeting to be at Hawfield's, the first "Wednes- day of September. The Synod added to the list the name of Hezekiah James Balch, from Donegal, a man famous for the part he took in the Mecklenburg Declaration, in 1775. CHAPTER VII. TIMBER RIDGE. Rockbridge County, Virginia, received her first white inhabitants in the year 1737. In the fall of that year, Ephraim M'Dowell and his wife, both advanced in years, with their sons James and John \ and daughter Mary, and her husband James Greenlee, were on their I way from Pennsylvania, the landing-place of emigrants from the \ British dominions, to Beverly's Manor. Whether the parents were born in Scotland, and in early life emigrated to Ulster County, Ireland, or whether Ireland was their birth-place, is left in doubt. The advantageous ofiers made by Beverly to obtain settlers for his grant, in the frontier wilderness, were circulated in Pennsylvania, and not unknown in Europe. Allured by these, James M'Dowell the son, had in the preceding summer, visited the Valley of the Shenandoah, and raised a crop of corn on the South River. The family of emigrants winding their way to the provision thus made ready for their winter's support, had crossed the Blue Ridge at Wood's Gap, and were encamped on Linvel's Creek for the night. A man calling himself Benjamin Burden, presented himself at their encampment, and asking permission to pass the night in their com- pany, was cheerfully made partaker of their food and fire. As the evening passed on in cheerful conversation, he informed the family that his residence was in Frederick County, where he had obtained a grant of land from the Governor, in the bounds claimed by Lord Fairfax, the Governor contending that the Blue Ridge was the western boundary, and Fairfax claiming the Alleghenies ; that the Governor had promised him another grant of 100,000 acres, on the head waters of the James River, as soon as he would locate a hun- dred settlers ; and that to induce settlers to locate on his expected grant, he would give to each of them one hundred acres of land, upon their building a cabin, with the privilege of buying as much more as he pleased up to a thousand acres, at the rate of fifty shil- lings the hundred acres. In the course of the conversation, he learned that John M'Dowell had surveying instruments with him and could use them. After examining them carefully, he made propo- sitions to M'Dowell to go with him and assist in laying off his tract, ofl'ering him, for his services a thousand acres, at his choice, for TIMBER RIDGE, 91 himself, and two hundred acres, each, for his father and brother and hrother-in-law ; for which he would make them a title as soon as the Governor gave him his patent ; which would bo when a hundred cabins were erected. The next day John M'Dowell went with Mr. Burden to the house of Col. John Lewis, on Lewis Creek, near where Staunton now stands ; and there the bargain was properly ratified. From Mr. Lewis's they went up the valley till they came to North River, a tributary of the James, which they mistook for the main river, and at the forks commenced running a line to lay off the proposed tract. M'Dowell chose for his residence the place now called the Red House ; the members of the family were located around, and cabins were built. The neighborhood was called Tim- ber Ridge, from a circumstance which guided the location. This part of the valley, like that near the Potomac, was mostly destitute of trees, and covered with tall grass and pea-vines. The forest trees on this Ridge guided these pioneers in their choice and in the name. Burden succeeded in procuring the erection of ninety-two cabins in two years, and received his patent from the Governor bearing date, November 8th, 1739. This speculation, not being profitable, soon passed from the hands of the company, which was composed of Burden, Governor Gooch, William Robertson and others, and became the sole property of Mr. Burden. This Benjamin Burden was an enterprising man from New Jersey. The records of the court, in the famous land case, arising from the grant, speak of him as a trader visiting extensively the frontiers. His activity, and enterprise, and success, enlisted the favor of the Governor, who was desirous of securing a line of settlements in towns or neighborhoods, west of the Blue Ridge, both to extend his province, increase the revenues, and render more secure the counties east of that Ridge ; and he obtained a patent bearing date Oct. 3d, 1734, for a tract of land on Spout Run in Frederick County, called Burden's Manor. Tradition says, that a young buifalo, caught by him in Augusta in the Gap that still bears that name, and taken to Williamsburg as a present to the Governor, had some influence by its novel appearance, in calling the attention of Governor and Coun- cil to that part of the frontiers. The speculations entered into by the Governor, Burden, Robertson and others contemplated grants to the amount of 500,000 acres. Benjamin Burden died in 1742. His will bears date the 3d of April of that year, and was admitted to record in Frederick County. His widow gave her son Benjamin, power of attorney dated March 6th, 1744, to adjust all matters con- cerning the grant in Rockbridge. At first from his youth and want of experience and tlie business habits of his father, the heir and agent was met with coldness and suspicion. But showing himself favorable to the inhabitants in not hastily demanding payments of debts ; and granting some patents promised by his father, but for some reasons held back, he soon became very popular ; married the widow of John M'Dowell, and lived on Timber Ridge till some time 92 TIMBER RIDGE. in 1753, when he fell victim to the small-pox, then infesting the country. His will bears date March 30th, 1753. He left two daughters ; one died unmarried, the other, named Martha, married Robert Hervey. His widow married John Boyer and lived to a great age. Joseph Burden, a son of Benjamin the grantee, claimed, as heir under his father's will, part of the unsold lands in the Rock- bridge grant, and commenced suit against Robert and Martha Her- vey ; and dying in 1803, in Iredell County, North Carolina (his will bearing date April 29th,) left the suit to be carried on by his heirs. This suit was in court many years ; and ultimately involved all the titles for land held under Burden's grant. The testimony and pro- ceedings in the case, occupy two large thick folios preserved in the clerk's office at Staunton. The preceding history is taken princi- pally from the testimony of Col. James M'Dowell, the grandson, and Mary Greenlee the sister of John M'Dowell, the surveyor of Burden's grant. John M'Dowell made choice of a pleasant and fertile possession ; and in a few years left it to his heirs. In the latter part of Decem- ber, 1743, the inhabitants of Timber Ridge were assembled at his dwelling, in mourning and alarm. To resist one of the murderous incursions of the Indians from Ohio, who could not yield the valley of the Shenandoah to the whites but with bloodshed, M'Dowell had rallied his neighbors. Not well skilled in savage warfare, the com- pany fell into an ambush, at the junction of the North river and the James, on the place long in possession of the Paxton family, and at one fire, M'Dowell and eight of his companions fell dead. The Indians fled precipitately, in consequence probably of the unusual extent of their murderous success. The alarmed population gathered to the field of slaughter, thought more of the dead than of pursuing the savages, whom they supposed far on their way to the West, took the nine bloody corpses on horseback and laid them side by side near M'Dowell's dwelling, while they prepared their graves in over- whelming distress. Though mourning the loss of their leading man, and unacquainted with military manoeuvres on the frontiers, no one talked of abandoning possessions for which so high a price of blood was given in times of profound peace. In their sadness, the women were brave. Burying their dead with the solemnity of Christian rites, while the murderers escaped beyond the mountains ; men and women resolved to sow their fields, build their church, and lay their bodies on Timber Ridge. Strange inheritance of our race ! Every advance in civil and religious liberty is bought with human life ; every step has been tracked with human blood. The burial-place of these men, the first perhaps of the Saxon race ever committed to the dust in Rockbridge County, you may find in a brick enclosure, on the west side of the road from Staunton to Lexington, near the Red-house, or Maryland tavern, the residence of M'Dowell. Entering the iron gate, and inclining to the left, about fifteen paces you will find a low unhewn limestone, about two TIMBER EIDGE. 93 feet in height, on which in rude letters by an unknown and unprac- tised hand, is the following inscription, next in age to the school- master's memorial to his wife, in the grave-yard at Opecquon. • HEER LYES THE BODY OF JOHN MACK D W E L L DECED DECEMBE 1743 Mary Greenlee lived to a great age, and retained her memory, and spirit, and vivacity to the last, unharmed by the hardships and changes in life, from the time of an early disappointment in love, which gave a peculiar turn to the action of her mind, through the fatigues of emigration Avhen twenty-six years of age, the labors of a new settlement, and some peculiar difficulties arising from her native shrewdness and many peculiarities. Endowed with powers of mind beyond the ordinary measure, and possessing great inde- pendence of character, she excited suspicious apprehensions among her more simple-minded neighbors, who believed, as was the fashion of the times, most devoutly in the existence of witches, and the power of witchcraft, to which many events were, by common con- sent, attributed. Happening one day, during a quilting at her house, to say, in a jocular manner, to a lady who had been very industrious, and whom she was pressing to eat more freely — '" the mare that does double work should be best fed;" it was construed according to the mysterious jargon of the craft to mean — that she herself was a witch, and this woman the mare she rode in her nightly incursions. Some losses of stock occurred about the same time, as in the case of Mr. Craig, of the Triple Forks, and the slander was spread abroad with many additions. The indignation of the super- stitious was aroused, and Mrs. Greenlee scarcely escaped a trial for witchcraft, according to the ancient laws of Virginia. In the famous trial between Burden's heirs, she underwent a long examina- tion, testing her temper and her memory, in the April of 1806. In the midst of the examination, the question was put to her — "How old are you?" She smartly replied — "Ninety-five the 17th of this instant; — and why do you ask me my age? — do you think I am in my dotage?" Among other things in the course of the vuluminous testimony taken in Burden's case, it is stated that an Irish girl, Peggy Milhollen, built a number of cabins^ and entered them upon the list for cabin rights ; and managed the matter with adroitness above suspicion till long after the registry was made ; thus accomplishing a double purpose, helping Mr. Burden to the requisite number of cabins fur his grant, and herself to abundant landed possessions. Ephraim M'Dowell and his wife were advanced in life when they came to America. Their sou John emigrated a widower, and mar- 94 TIMBER RIDGE. ried a Miss Magdaline Woods. At his death he left her with three children, Samuel, James, and Martha. Samuel was Colonel of militia in the battle of Guilford, North Carolina. He married a Miss Mary McClung ; his daughter Magdaline married Andrew Reid, son of Andrew and Mary Reid, of Rockfish, and father of Samuel M'Dowell Reid, the present Clerk of Rockbridge County. James married a Miss Cloyd, and died about 1770, aged thirty-five years, leaving three children, James, Sarah, and Betsy ; James, the great- grand-child of Ephraim, married Sarah Preston, grand-daughter of John Preston, the emigrant, was the father of the late Governor, James M'Dowell, and is the Colonel M'Dowell whose evidence in the case of Burden afforded in part the information respecting the early history of Rockbridge. Martha was married to Colonel George Moffitt, of Augusta, a gentleman much engaged in the Revolutionary war. The first church-building on Timber Ridge was of wood, and stood about three miles north of the present stone building, and less than a mile south of the Red house, on the west side of the road, near an old burying-ground in the woods, where there are now seen many graves, and a few monuments. In the division which took place in the Presbyterian church, in the years 1741-5, this congregation sympathised with the new side, and were supplied with missionaries from the Presbyteries of New Castle, New Brunswick, and New York. In the year 1748, they, in conjunction with the people of Forks of James, made out a call for the ministerial services of Wil- liam Dean, of New Castle Presbytery, which was presented to Synod of New York, Avhose records say — Maidenhead, May 18th, 1748 — " A call was brought into the Synod to be presented to the Rev. Mr. Dean, from Timber Ridge and Forks of James river ; the Synod refer the consideration thereof to the Presbytery of New Castle, to which Mr. Dean doth belong, and do recommend it to said Presbytery to meet in Mr. Dean's meeting-house, on Wed- nesday next upon said affair ; and that Mr. Dean and his people be speedily apprized of it." Mr. Dean was one of those referred to by Mr. Craig, that troubled parts of his congregation on some missionary visits to the valley. The race of this warm and ardent preacher was soon brought to a close. His death occurred soon after this call. In 1753, this congregation united with New Provi- dence in presenting a call to Mr. John Brown, a graduate of Nassau Hall, Princeton, in 1749, and a licentiate of New Castle Pres- bytery. He had visited the frontiers and Avas willing to cast his lot among them. The paper presented to Presbytery has been pre- served by the descendants of Mr. Brown in Kentucky. Worthy and Dear Sir : — We being for these many years past in very destitute circumstances, in want of the ordinances of the gospel among vis, many of us under distressing spiritual languish- ments, and multitudes perishing in our sins for the want of the bread of life broken amongst us, our Sabbaths wasted in melancholy silence at home, or sadly broken and profaned by the more thought- A CALL TO JOHN BROWN. 95 less amoncrst us, our hearts and hands discouraged, and our spirits broken with our mournful condition and repeated disappointments of our expectations of relief in this particular ; in these afflicting circumstances that human language cannot sufficiently paint, we have had the happiness by the good providence of God of enjoying a share of your labors to our abundant satisfaction ; and being universally satisfied with your ministerial abilities in general, and the peculiar agreeableness of your qualification to us in particular, as a gospel minister ; we do, worthy and dear sir, from our hearts and with the most cordial aff'ection and unanimity, agree to call, invite, and request you to take the ministerial care of us — and we do promise that we will receive the word of God from your mouth, attend on your ministry, instructions and reproofs, in public and private, and to submit to the discipline which Christ has appointed in his church administered by you, while regulated by the word of God, and agreeable to our Confession of Faith and Directory. And that you may give yourself wholly up to the important work of the ministry, we do promise that we will pay unto you annually, the sum which our Commissioners, Andrew Steel and Archibald Alexander, shall give in to the Reverend Presbytery from the time of your acceptance of this our call ; and that we shall behave our- selves towards you with all that dutiful respect and affection that becomes a people towards their minister, using all means within our power to render your life comfortable and happy. We entreat you, worthy and dear sir, to have compassion upon us, and accept this our call and invitation to the pastoral charge of our immortal souls, and we shall ever hold ourselves bound to pray. We request the Reverend Presbytery to present this our call to the said Mr. Brown, and to concur in his acceptance of it — and we shall always count ourselves happy in being your obliged humble servants. John Houston, Andrew Steel, Samuel Buchanan, Alexander Walker, Walter Eakin, William Lockbridge Alexander Miller, Francis Beaty, John Ilawely, Jolm Stuart, William Wardlaw, Alexander Walker, John Houston, Jr., John Moore, Samuel Houston, Samuel Steel, John Sprowl, James Coulter, Kobert Reagh, John Kobinson, Matthew Kobinson, Subscribers. John Kerr, John Loggan, James Eakin, John Montgomery, James Lusk, Robert Gamble, John Rossman, William Berry, James Trimble, Robert Robertson, John Shields, Charles Berry, John M'Crosky, Jr., John Patton, Robert Henry, John Winiston, James Walker, David Sayer, James Robinson, . Samuel Hay, Joseph Kennedy, Samuel M'Cutchon, William Smith, Thomas Hill, George Henderson, John M'Crosky, Sen., Alexander M'Crosky, Robert Kirkpatrick, John Douglass, John Walker, William Reah, John Wardlaw, Robert Weir, Alexander Moor, Matthew Houston, William AVhiteside, Thomas Berry, William Robinson, Samuel Dunlap, Halbert M'Cleur, John M'Nabb, William Caruthers, A CALL TO JOHN BROWN. William Gray, Jamps M'Clung, David Dryden, Gooro;e Stevenson, William Hamilton, Thomas M'Speden, Joseph Hay, Francis Allison, John Smily, James Greenlee, Thomas M'Murry, James M'Dowel, Rodger Keys, Thomas Paxton, Nath. Peoples, Alexander M'Cleur, Robert Allison, Moses Whiteside, James M'Clung, Jr Samuel Lyle, John M'Cleur, Matthevp- Lyle, James Thomson, John Davison, James Edmiston, Robert Houston, John Keys, John Stevenson, Jacob Gray, Nath. M'Cleur, Edmund Hearken, Samuel Paxton, William Lusk, Thomas Dryden, Edward Gaor, Samuel Davis, William Davis, Charles M'Anelly, Neal M'Glister, John Lowry, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Samuel Gray, John Lyle, Archibald Alexander, John Macky, Baptist M'Nabb, Moses Trimble, Magdalen Burden, Samuel M'Dowel, Widow M'Clung, John Mitchel, Daniel Lyle, Agnea Martin. Mr, Brown became their pastor. He was united in marriage to the second daughter of John Preston, Margaret, horn in Ireland, 1730, a lady of strong intellect, a cultivated mind, and much energy of character. The high esteem in which he was held by her parents, is chronicled in the saying of Mr. Preston, that "he devoutly thanked God that he had a Presbyterian minister connected with his family." For a succession of years he served the two congregations which were adjoining, each very extensive. Mr. Brown was of the new side in the division which then existed in the Synod. We have but few memoranda of his proceedings for a few years. His residence was about a quarter of a mile from the north end of the village of Fairfield, in the direction of New Providence, a very convenient position for his extensive charge. Of the course he pursued during the distresses of the Indian incursions in the Valley in Braddock's war, we have but one single notice, and that is in the journal of Hugh McAden, given in the Sketches of North Carolina, pp. 162, 163. Mr. Brown continued his ministrations throughout the whole Indian war. Mr. Craighead with his family and a large part of his congregation removed from their exposed position in the Cowpasture, and sought a residence in North Carolina. We have no historical data for an opinion as to his courage, but from his associations with Davies, cannot believe him less courageous than Craig. The elders in Timber Ridge, in Mr. Brown's time, were, Wm. McClung, Archibald Alexander, Daniel Lyle, John Lyle, John McKay, Alexander McCleur, and John Davidson. In New Provi- dence, John Houston, Samuel Houston, James Wilson, Andrew Steel, and John Robinson. Before the time of Mr. Brown, there was a classical school at New Providence ; and Mr. Robert Alexander taught in the bounds of Timber Ridge the first classical school in the Valley. Mr. Brown kept up a flourishing "grammar school" near his residence. His dwelling was about three-fourths of a mile from the south end of the present village of Fairfield, in a westward direction ; and the Academy •stood about a mile from his house, and about the same distance from REV. JOHN BROWN. 97 the north end of the village. In 1774 the Preshytery of Hanover adopted the school, and appointed William Graham teacher, under the care of Mr. Brown. In 1777 the school was removed to Timber Ridge. From thence it was removed to the neighborhood of Lex- ington. For a series of years its history is inwoven with the life of William Graham. It is now Washington College. (See the first series of Sketches of Virginia, Chapter 21st.) The records of Hanover Presbytery, for October 11th, 1767, at Bird Meeting House, say, "Mr. Brown laid -before Presbytery the extent of his charge, and the difficulties of performing the duties of his functions, and also declared to the Presbytery that he vei'ily be- lieves that his usefulness is at an end in Timber Ridg-e Confiresa- tion ; and as he apprehends it would be for the good of said Con- gregation that the pastoral relation he sustains to them should be dissolved (the people of Timber Ridge in the mean time petitioning against his dismission, and sending commissioners to oppose it), the Presbytery having maturely considered the affair, do not pretend to oblige Mr. Brown to continue Avith that people contrary to his incli- nation, but leave it to himself to continue with them, or confine him- self to Providence, at his own discretion ; but do earnestly recommend it to Mr. Brown not to give up his pastoral relation to Timber Ridge, and leave that people destitute, since there appears to be a mutual regard between them and him. But if he should leave Timber Ridge, the commissioners from Providence having represented to the Pres- bytery the earnest desire of that Congregation to liave the whole of his labors, and the ease with which they can give him a comfortable support." What the difficulty between Mr. Brown and Timber Ridge Congregation Avas does not appear, but he withdrew from the minis- terial care of that people, and confined his labors to New Providence the remainder of his active life. The amount of salary promised by the commissioners to the Pres- tery in 1753 is not known. The Congregation at New Providence in 1767 promised to give him §80 per annum. There is a paper in Mr. Brown's handwriting purporting to be an account of money received from the congregations under his care, the only paper of its kind, relating to the salaries of ministers, of the last century, that is made public, except that giving the subscription in part fur Mr. Waddell by Tinkling Spring. New Providence, 1754. £ s. d. Josepli Kenedy 1 7^ Juhn iloseman , 1 Audiew Steel 2 3 4 John Muntgomery 1 18 Jiimt'S Trimble 1 00 Wiliiaui Smith 15 Patrick Porter 5 8 William Wardlow 1 00 Matt, lioustun 15 Alexander Miller 1 2G 7 £ s. d. Robert Weir 15 Wni. and Thus. Berry 1 12 John Stewart 15 George Henderson 12 6 Alexander Walker (K.) 15 Alexander Moore 13 .0 Samuel Buchanan 1 1 5|- •John Houston 13 9 •James Coulter 15 James Walker 1 40 98 EEV. JOHN BROWN. £ s. d. Wm. Edmiston -1 Andrew Steel 1 5 RobertGamble, by John Logan 10 John Lo<;an 15 Edward McColgan 10 Robert Reagh 1 10 James Lusk 10 In 1755 the game names, marked with *, with the addition of: — John Edmis- ton, £14 4; Samuel Houston, £1 1 4^7 ; Thomas Hill, £0 15 ; James Moore, £0 17 0; John McCroskfey, £1 10 0: Robert Culton, £0 8 ; Ann Wilson, £10 0; Wm. Reagh, £1 17 8 ; Widow Smith, £0 15 ; John Logan, £0 12 ; Samuel McCutchan, £1 3 10; John W^alker, £0 15 0. £ s. d. John Handly 15 James Eaken 17 6 James Robinson 1 Matthew Robinson 10 John Robinson. 5 John Walker 15 Walker Eaken 1 5 Timber Ridge, 1754, £ 5. d. Alexander McClure* 100 Nathaniel McCIiire* 100 Halbert McClure 5 9 Wm. Caruthers* 11 6 Moses Trimble 12 John Lowry* ..0 00 David Drvden* 1 Robert Alison* 1 00 Wm. Lusk 1 10 Robert Houston* ,. . . 1 Mr. Boyer* 2 00 Daniel Lyle* 1 5 John Lyle* 16 John Stevenson* 1 John Patton* 10 James Thompson* 1 00 Archiliald Alexander* 15 John Mackv* 10 Baptist McNab* 15 James McCking, Jr.* 15 Wm. Gray* 10 Samuel Gray* John McClure* Moses McClure* 1 James McClung* 1 James Greenlee 1 Joseph Hays Wm. McClung* 1 John Keys Samuel Lyle* V , John Davison* ) John Davison Nathan People* Thomas Paxton* 1 George Stevenson* 1 John Smiley* Thomas McSpeden Moses Whiteside* Andrew Fitzpatrick Neal McCieaster* Wm. Davis* Samuel Davis* s. d. 12 15 1 6 10 10 1 "l 10 6 5 1 10 15 3 12 10 10 10 10 The names marked* for 1755, with additions, viz: — John Alison, £0 10 ; John Mitchell. £0 G ; Samuel McDowel, £060; James McKee, £0 10 ; Wm. Young, £0 15 0. These subscriptions were undoubtedly liberal for the circumstances of emigrants. The country was new, and their distance from mar- ket great ; and few at the time wealthy, and none in possession of much money. Were the prices of grain and different kinds of stock preserved, the relative value of salaries at that and the present time could be estimated, and would show well for both periods. At the earnest entreaty of New Providence, Mr. Brown confined his labors to that congregation the latter years of his residence in Virginia. After the Academy became established at Lexington, and that village grew in importance, and was supplied with regular preach- ing, "Timber Ridge was greatly curtailed on that side, and by a simi- lar increase of Fairfield it was lessened on the other side. But there has ever been, under the variety of pastors and supplies, since the time of Mr. Graham, a congregation of great worth assembling REV. JOHN BROWN. 99 in the Stone Clinrcli now giving evident signs of age. The associa- tions "with the house, and the very rocks around, remain vividly in the hearts of those accustomed in youth to assemble here on the Lord's Day. Governor McDowell passed this meeting house always with reverence, often in tears, and when he came in sight of the great rock, the landing place of his father and mother, and himself when a child, on the Sabbath day, he was known often to have raised his hat with a burst of emotion. What had God wrought from the time his ancestor was murdered by the savages, till he himself became Governor of Virginia ! In 1796, Mr. Brown, weighed down with the infirmities of age, resigned his charge of New Providence, and welcomed Mr. Samuel Brown as successor in influence and usefulness. He soon followed his children to Ken- tucky, and in a few years closed his life. The inscription over his grave in Frankfort, is : — " The tomb of the Rev. John Brown, who, after graduating at Nassau Hall, devoted himself to the ministry, and settled at New Providence, Rockbridge County, Virginia. At that place he was stated pastor forty-four years. In the decline of life he removed to this country, to spend the feeble remainder of his days with his children. He died in the 75th year of his age, A. D. 1803." His Avife preceded him to the grave, dying in 1802, in her 73d year. This worthy couple reared seven children : — 1st. Eliza- beth, who married Rev. Thomas B. Craighead, of Tennessee ; 2d. John — a student at Princeton when that institution was broken up by the British — represented the district of Kentucky in the Virginia Legislature — and was in the old Congress of '87 and '88, and in the new of '89 and '91 ; married Margaretta Mason, sister of Rev. John M. Mason, of New York. 3d. William — educated at Princeton — a physician — died early, in South Carolina. 4th. Mary — married Dr. Alexander Humphreys. 5th. James — a lawyer ; first Secre- tary of State in Kentucky, member of the United States Senate from Louisiana, six years American Minister in France ; married Ann Hart, sister of Mrs. Henry Clay. 6th. Samuel — an eminent physician and professor in the Medical School of Transylvania. 7th. Preston — a physician. The Alexander family formed a part of the Timber Ridge settle- ment and congregation. In giving farther specimens of the gene- alogies of the Scotch-Irish emigrants, of which numbers may be found, there are reasons why that of this family should be chosen fur the public eye. The sons of a certain Archibald Alexander removed from Scotland to Ireland, in the great immigration in the early part of the 17th century. Their names were, Strong, Wil- liam, and Thomas. One of these had a son William, remarkable for his corpulency. This William had four sons, Archibald, William, Robert and Peter. Peter died in Londonderry ; the other three removed to America about the year 1736. Archibald, the eldest, born in the Manor of Cunningham, Ireland, Feb. 4tli, 1708, married his cousin Margaret Parks, Dec. 31st, 1731, — "a pious woman, of a spare frame, light hair, and florid countenance." Their eldest 100 THE ALEXANDER FAMILY. child Eliza, was born in Ireland, Oct. 1735. They took their resi- dence in America in 1737, near Nottingham. Here their children, William, Ann, Joseph, and Hannah were born. Mr. Alexander being persuaded by his wife to hear Mr. Whitefield, became a con- vert. In the division of the Presbyterian Church which followed the great revival, the family was numbered with the neiv side — or netv lights. Their place of worship was called Providence. About the year 1747, this Mr. Archibald Alexander joined the settlement and congregation of Timber Ridge, Virginia, and took his residence on the South River, a tributary of the James, opposite the mouth of Irish Creek. The country is rough but well watered. It abounded in timber and was desirable for grazing. Here his children Phoebe and Margaret were born. .Mr, Alexander formed a part of the first session of the Church of Timber Ridge. Rev. Samuel Davies visiting the congregation, lodged at his house; his daughter Hannah, that married James Lyle, used to tell of his gold- headed cane given him in England, and his gold ring presented by an English lady. Mr. Alexander went as the Elder from Timber Ridge, with Mr. Steel of Providence, to present the call for Rev. John Brown, in August 1753. Before his return his wife suddenly died of dysentery. In 1757, he was married to his second wife, Jane M'Clure. Their children were Isabella, Mary, Margaret, John, James, Samuel, Archibald and James. Of his fifteen children, three girls died young. Six sons and six daughters became heads of numerous families. His grandson Archibald Alexander D. D., says of his grandfather — " He was rather below the common height, thick-set, broad-breasted and strongly built. His face was broad, his eyes large, black and prominent. The expression of his coun- tenance, calm and benignant his manner of speaking; was very kind and afiectionate." Such a man, fearing God, could not fail to impress the community with a conviction of his personal bravery. Of course when the young men wanted a captain of Rangers, they naturally looked to "old Ersbell" Alexander; and he as naturally went along to tell the boys what to do, — when to march, — where to camp, — what was right, and what was wrong. As to the fighting, every man expected to do that, when it was wanted, without much order or direction. The authority of the father, the grandfather, the elder, the captain, and above all, the irreproachable man, was un- limited. Mr. Burden employed Mr. Alexander very extensively in his afiairs ; and at his death, left him to fill up the deeds for lands. This delicate business he performed to the entire satisfaction of the purchasers and the heirs. He entered into no speculations while settling the intricate afiairs of Mr. Burden's estate. His stern hon- esty and calm uprightness, Archibald Alexander bequeathed to his children, baptized into the everlasting covenant of God the Re- deemer. No one expected a descendant of "old Ersbell" to be greedy, or avaricious, or pinching, or unkind, or indolent, or igno- rant, or very rich. But the public did expect them to know their catechism, to be familiar Avith their Bible, to keep the Sabbath, to ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER. 101 fear God, keep a good conscience, with industry and economy to be independent, and at last to die christianly. Mr. Alexander taught his children for a time himself; and to accommodate his neighbors and encourage his own children, he opened a night school in the Avinter — and thus supplied the deficiency of proper teachers. His brother Robert Alexander, was a fine classical scholar. He also removed to Virginia, and made his residence near the present village of Greenville, in Augusta. He taught the first classical school in the Valley. William, the eldest son of this Archibald Alexander, born in Pennsylvania, near Nottingham, March 22d 1738, came to Virginia with his parents when about nine years of age, and grew up in the retirement and hardships of a frontier life. He was familiar with the Larger Catechism from his childhood, and could repeat the greater part of the Psalms and Hymns in Watts' version, and was well acquainted with Christian doctrine. He was married to Agnes Ann E,eid, a young lady reared like himself in the simplicity . of frontier life, and in the Presbyterian faith, retiring in her manners, and affectionate in her disposition. Her gi-andfather Andrew Reid, came from Ireland with two brothers, and settled in Octorara, Penn- sylvania, having the Shawancse as their neighbors. Her father, An- drew, was born in Ireland and emigrated at the age of 14. He married his cousin Sarah, daughter of John Reid, and removed to Virginia. The children of William Alexander were Andrew, Mar- garet, Archibald, and Sarah, born on Irish Creek ; Phoebe, Eliza- beth, John, Nancy, Ann, and Martha, born on North River, near the present town of Lexington. His mercantile arrangements being broken up by the Revolutionary war, Mr. Alexander became deputy Sheriff of the county, his father being the High Sheriff. As an elder of the Church he was highly respected, though his children say he was not as impressive in religion as their grandfather. W^hen the Academy, now Washington College, was removed to the vicinity of Lexington, the buildings were erected on his lands ; and in the charter obtained in 1782, he Avas named one of the Trustees. In fostering that institution, he secured to his sons the best education the Valley of Virginia could afford. Archibald Alexander, dear to the Presbyterian Church as the first Professor of Theology in the Assembly's Seminary, at Prince- ton, New Jersey, was the third child and second son of William Alexander and Agnes Ann Reid, born April 17th, 1772, on South River, Ptuckbridge County, Virginia, lie grew to early manhood on the banks of North River, near Washington College, as it now stands. The early instruction of Mr. Alexander was at an "old field ' school, and under very indifferent teachers. With these he Saw or heard nothing to awaken desires for literary excellence. In his youth, he came under the instruction of his pastor, William Graham, Avhose teachings were not calculated to foster self-conceit; and in the estimation he formed of himself fell vastly below the grade of excellence assigned him by his venerable teacher. At 102 ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER. Liberty Hall, lie also liad the instruction of that surpassing teacher James Priestley. This man loved the classici passionately. Grow- ing np on Timber Ridge, he attracted the attention of his minister, and by his aid and devotion acqiiired an education at Liberty Hall. His Greek and Latin approached the vernacular. The finest pas- sages of the classics were lodged in his memory. He would declaim before the boys, in Greek, with the greatest vehemence. In various ways he inspired them with the most enthusiastic ardor in their pursuit of knowledge and literary eminence. He became to his pupils the standard of excellence in classic attainments ; and mea- suring themselves and others by him, they cultivated a refined taste and a correctness altogether beyond the common standard. His influence on young Alexander remained through life, exciting to greater and greater acquirements in the languages. The memory of this man stimulated him in Spottsylvania and in Prince Edward. The standard of classical acquirements raised by that man has been as influential in Virginia and the Western States, as Graham's Philosophy. And how he became such a linguist no one can tell any more than how Graham became master of such a philosophy. The power of such men is never lost. At the age of seventeen, young Alexander was employed as tutor in the family of General Posey, of Spottsylvania, about twelve miles from Fredericksburg. Here he became acquainted with the manners of the more refined of low Virginia, whose beauty was in part in that simplicity that ever characterized him in all his stations of life. Here, to preserve his character as tutor, he made great ad- vance in his acquaintance with classic authors. Here, he began to feel his personal responsibility to God, and to act for himself. Here, by the instrumentality of a pious member of the family, he felt his own need of conversion ; and here, as he fully believed in after life, he was born again. The examples and instructions of former years became, under the Spirit's influence, a quickening power. The human hand that applied the match to the train was a Baptist lady, of whom there remains on earth no other memorial ; and Flavel was the instrument she used. Did that woman live in vain ? The place in which the Spirit opened his eyes, might be found on the banks of the little creek near General Posey's dwelling. Soamme Jenynscame to his aid — " When I ceased to read, the room had the appearance of being illuminated," and the same blessedness, perhaps in a higher degree, came to his heart as he prayed in the arbor on the little creek. Having fulfilled his engagements with General Posey, he returned to Rockbridge, and was sensible, for the first time in his life, of the beautiful scenery around the place of his childhood. How should he know the excellence to which his childish mind had been accustomed, and assimilated, till he had looked on other things, and lost, in a manner, the vision of his earliest days ? The place of his childhood, the purity of his father's house, the excellence of his academical instructors, the refinement of his first field of efibrt, the gentle influence of a pious lady — all prepared him, under the guid- J. B. SMITH WILLIAM GRAHAM. 103 ance of the Holy Spirit, for that visit to Prince Edward and Char- lotte, memorable in the history of many. Rev. J. B. Smith, of Hampden Sidney, invited Rev. William Graham, of Liberty Hall, to visit him, and be a co-laborer at a communion, while the extensive revival was in progress. Mr. Gra- ham had been the means of putting Liberty Hall far ahead of all the literary institutions in Virginia, except Hampden Sidney ; and Mr. Smith had put Hampden Sidney above all except Liberty Hall. Some small collisions had taken place. Each with the other stood upon his dignity. When this invitation came, Mr. Graham resolved to go. God had revived his brother Smith, and in that blessing had exalted him above his head ; and he meant to bow to the favored one of the Lord. Archibald Alexander, and some other young men, accompanied him. The journey was on horseback, and full of interest. It afforded the pupil a full and free conversation with his teacher, on the subject of justification by faith, and the work of the Spirit. The exercises of the communion season had commenced when they reached Briery. The excitement on religion was high, and its influence over the young people generally controlling. Le- grand rejoicing in the success of his mission to North Carolina, was there with a company of professed converts from Granville County. The woods rang with the songs of praise as the companies of young people rode to and from public worship. The meeting of the two Presidents was touching. Smith rejoicing in the work of God, heartily welcomed, with Christian dignity, his brother Graham. Graham returned the salutation with urbanity, but evidently as depressed in mind as he was v/earied in body from the ride through a long hot day. They lodged at the house of widow Morton, a con- vert of Davics. Mr. Smith called on William Calhoon to pray, and William Hill to exhort ; both young converts. Young Alexander was greatly moved by Hill's address. Air. Smith gave a warm address. Mr. Graham with great oppression of heart led in prayer. The young people thought Mr. Graham cold, and urged Mr. Smith to preach the action sermon on Sabbath morning, because Mr. Gra- ham was not prepared, as they thought, for the occasion. Smith suffered himself to be persuaded, through fear that ill might come to the cause. Graham gladly listened to his brother as he preached from the words — ''■ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise !" The crowd Avas great. Preparation had been made to hold all the ser- vices in the open air. The coming of rain changed the purpose alter sermon, and the sacrament was administered in the house. While the change of arraugement was going on, Mr. Legrand preached from tlie horse-biocK, and Mr. Samuel Houston did the same while the services were progressing in tue house. After tiie sacrament, Mr. Graham preached in the house, from the words — '•Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God." Smith had set forth the acceptable sacrifice ; Graham held forth the comforc God gives when iniquity is pardoned and . the warfare over, the 104 WILLIAM GRAHAM — ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER. wonderful mercies God bestows on his church in revivals and gifts of grace. The cloud had gone from his mind, and the weight from his lieart. The crystal fountain poured forth its living waters. Smith was amazed ; the crowd enwrapt ; and Graham scarce knew himself as he was borne along by the tide of feeling, and the vast truths of grace. The rain came on, and the house was crowded to its utmost capacity. Graham turned his address to the impenitent. Silent, motionless, almost breathless, all heard the sermon to the close. Was that the man, " too cold to preach the action sermon ? Was that Mr. Graham, or an angel from heaven? Smith wept with thanksgiving. The sweet harmony of that hour was unbroken through life. After a half century, the survivors of that crowded assembly would talk of that sermon. The Womacs, the Aliens, the Mortons, the Venables, the Spencers, the Watkinses, sinking with age would rouse upon mention of that text — Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people — "that was Mr. Graham's text." Mr. Smith repaid Mr. Graham's visit. His sermons in the Valley were remembered as Mr. Graham's were east of the Ridge, particularly the one on — "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish." Mr. Alexander was not prepared to commune. To see his cool, reasoning pastor all on fire amazed him. " Ye comfortless ones" met his ear as he entered the house. "Ye comfortless ones" pre- faced many sentences, and rung for days and nights in the ears of sinners without hope, and of saints without joy. More distressed than ever, Mr. Alexander wondered he could not feel like his pastor. Mr. Smith told him his exercises as yet had been vain. He tried to give up all hope, but could not be exercised as those around him were. On his return home, he laid his case before Mr. Mitchel, of Bedford, who gave him counsel that led him to hope in Christ as his Saviour. The company tarried a few days in Bedford in the congregation of Mesrss. Mitchel and Turner. A revival was in progress there, and many young people from the valley were assem- bled to partake, if possible, of its blessings. They all returned together, about thirty in number, and as they slowly crossed the mountains, the woods and valleys echoed with the songs of praise. The little village of Lexington was moved at their coming, and at night heard for the first time the voice of a youth in prayer, and that youth, Archy Alexander. There was no house for public wor- ship in Lexington. The congregation had hitherto assembled at New Monmouth. The young converts were full of hope that a revival would be felt in Rockbridge. Legrand, with his sweet, earnest voice and pathetic exhortations, and Graham, with his entreaties, and tears, and clear sermons, were, with the news from abroad and the sight of the converts at home, the means of awakening multi- tudes. In the experience of a religious nature as related by the converts, were found distinct views of truth, deep conviction of sin and ill-desert, much distress in view of sinfulness and wrath, and a clear view of mercy by the cross of Christ in laying sin on Christ and reckoning righteousness to the sinner. Mr. Alexander had HANOVER PRESBYTERY. 105 many days of deep distress ; and the coming of hope was like the shinino; light. Every one but himself believed that he was chosen of God for a minister of the gospel; and nobody but himself doubted of his conversion. CHAPTER VIII. HANOVER PRESBYTERY FROM 1770 TO ITS DIVISION, TO FORM THE VIRGINIA SYNOD, IN 1786. Mr. James Campbell was presented to Presbytery, April 26th, 1770, by Mr. Thomas Jackson, as an — " acquaintance of all the members and of worthy character ; and was licensed at the D. S. Oct. 10th, 1771, and sent to visit the vacancies, particularly the pastures, Timber Ridge, Forks of James, Sinking Spring, Hat Creek, and Cub Creek. Oct. 15th, 1772, at the same place, the Presbytery was informed of his death ; and recommended that any dues for his services as a minister be sent to his parents. Mr. Samuel Edmundson was received on trials for licensure Oct. 15th, 1772 ; and was licensed Oct, 14th, 1773, at Rockfish meet- ing-house ; and sent to supply Cook's Creek, Linvel's Creek, Peeked Mountain, and Mossy Creek, made vacant by the death of Mr. Jackson. He soon removed to South Carolina, where he spent a useful life. 25th. Caleb Wallace, the twenty-fifth member, born in Char- lotte County, and graduated at Princeton, 1770, was received at Tinkling Spring, April 13th, 1774, as licentiate of New Castle Presbytery. On the 3d of October ensuing, he was ordained at Cub Creek, pastor of Cub Creek and Little Falling river, Mr. David Rice presiding, and Mr. Leake giving the charge. In 7779, he removed to Botetourt ; and in 1783 emigrated to Kentucky. Abandoning the ministry, he entered upon the profession of Law, was successful, and became Judge of the Supreme Court. 26th. William Graham, the twenty-sixth member, has a place m the first series of Sketches of Virginia. His name is inseparable from Washington College, Lexington, Virginia. James Templeton was received as candidate at Timber Ridge, April 13th, 1775, a graduate of Nassau Hall — "bringing recom- mendation from Dr. Witherspoon." He was licensed at the house of John Morrison, on Rockfish, Oct. 26th, 1775 ; and soon removed to South Carolina. Samuel M'Corkle was, Oct. 26th, 1775, received as probationer from the Presbytery of New York. He was very acceptable to the 106 SAMUEL STANHOPE SMITH — JOHN B. SMITH, ETC. churches, and received calls from Oxford, High Bridge, and Falling Spring, but declined settling in Virginia. A sketch of his life may be found in " Sketches of North Carolina. 27'th. Samuel Stanhope Smith, the twenty-seventh member of Presbytery, was received as probationer from New Castle Presby- tery, Oct. 27th, 1775, at Rockfish, without the usual testimonials. The Presbytery recommended him — " to procure a dismission, and produce it to Presbytery as soon as he conveniently can." The Presbytery proceeded to ordain him — "and Mr. Smith now takes his seat as a member of Presbytery together with his elder, Mr. James Venable." The reasons given for this unusual course is — " seeing a call from the united congregations of Cumberland and Prince Edward has been presented to him, and he being encouraged to receive it by said Presbytery," (New Castle) — "which amounts to a dismission and recommendation, we judge it safe to receive him." He was installed Nov. 9th, 1775; and in May, 1776, he tells Presbytery he has his dismission, and will produce it at next meeting. Oct. 28th, 1779, he was released from his pastoral charge, and his duties as President of Hampden Sidney College, and im- mediately removed to Princeton to take the chair of Professor of Moral Philosophy, at Nassau Hall. He was the father of Hampden Sidney, in Virginia ; and in his old age referred to it with deep emotion. He was the means of introducing his brother John Blair Smith, and also William Graham to the Presbytery and the institu- tions in Prince Edward and Rockbridge. He was President of Nassau Hall for many years. A sketch of his life belongs to the history of that College. 28th. John B. Smith, the twenty-eighth member, was received a candidate June 18th, 1777, and was licensed at the house of Dr. Waddell in Tinkling Spring Congregation, June 9th, 1778. An extended account of his services is given in the first series of these Sketches. 29th. Edward Crawford a graduate of Princeton, 1775, was received a candidate in the fall of 1776. On the 31st of October, 1777, at Buflalo it was ordered — "that Messrs. Crawford, Scott and Doak be introduced to complete their literary trials, and after long and particular examination of each of them, in Science, Moral Philosophy, and Theology, and Mr. CraAvford in the languages, — Resolved, that they (the examinations) be accepted as the conclusion of their trials previous to their being licensed. And the license of the Presbytery to them to preach the gospel in the churches was intimated to them accordingly, accompanied with a solemn charge from the Moderator." A call from Sinking Spring, and Spreading Spring was presented Mr. Crawford at Mountain Plains, October 27th, 1778, and by him accepted. At the division of the Presby- tery 1786, he was one of the constituents of Lexington Presbytery. ARCHIBALD SCOTT — SAMUEL DOAK — J. MONTGOMERY, ETC. 107 He afterwards removed to Tennessee and became a member of Ab- ingdon Presbytery. 30tb. Mr. Archibald Scott, the thirtieth member, was licensed with Messrs. Crawford and Doak. A notice of him appears with the history of Bethel, in this volume. 31st. Samuel Doak was licensed with Messrs. Scott and Craw- ford. His history belongs to Tennessee, the scene of his labor, and object of his love. Some notices of him may be found in the Sketches of North Carolina, under the head of Emigrations to Tennessee. 32d. John Montgomery, the thirty-second minister, was received as candidate October 31st, 1777, Mr. Graham representing him — " a young gentleman of the County of Augusta, who had finished his education in the College of New Jersey, 1775." He was licensed at Mountain Plains, with Mr Erwin, October 28th, 1778 ; and on April 26th, 1780, at Tinkling Spring — " Presbytery agree to or- dain Mr. John Montgomery to the sacred work of the gospel min- istry, that he may be more extensively useful." Next day he was ordained. Three calls were put in for him, October 23d, 1781, at Concord ; — one from Bethel, Washington County, — one from Con- cord and Providence, and one from Winchester, Cedar Creek and Opecquon. He accepted the last. After spending a few years with these congregations, he, to their great regret, removed in 1789, and made his residence in the Pastures, Augusta, where he inherited property. Here he passed the remainder of his life. Previous to his ordination he was associated with Mr. Graham in the instruc- tion of Liberty Hall. He was a very popular preacher, a good scholar, an esteemed relative, and an amiable man. In the division of the Presbytery he was assigned to Lexington. In the latter part of his life, his ministry was interrupted by bodily infirmities. 83d. James M'Connel, a graduate of Princeton, 1773, was re- ceived at Tinkling Spring April 29th, 1778, as probationer from Donegal. Having accepted a call from Oxford, High Bridge and Palling Spring, he was ordained at High Bridge June 18th, 1778. By indiscretion and want of family economy, he became involved in difiicultics and ceased to serve the congregation. In the year 1787 he removed beyond the Alleghenies. 34th. Benjamin Erwin, the thirty-fourth member, was a gradu- ate at Princeton 1776, was received as candidate April 30th, 1778, and exhibited pieces of trial given him by Mr. Graham on account of his inability, by sickness, to attend a previous meeting of Pres- bytery ; was ordained at Mossy Creek June 20th, 1780, pastor of Mossy Creek and Cook's Creek. On the formation of the Virginia Synod, he became a member of Lexington Presbytery. He died 108 REV. WILLIAM WILSON. pastor of his first charge. George A. Baxter, D. D. grew up under his ministry. o5th. ^YILLIAM Wilson, the thirty-fifth member of the Presby- tery, grew up in New Providence, under the ministy of John Brown ; but was born August 1st, 1751, in Pennsylvania. His fatlier, an emigrant from Ireland, in his youth was a hearer of Mr. Whitcfield in Philadelphia, and became, in consequence, a hopeful convert to Christ. When about forty years of age he removed to Virginia, and Settled about twelve miles east of Lexington, and became a member of New Providence Church. His connexion was continued about fifty years. His devoted piety in his family, and his inter- course with his fellow-men, were remarked by people among whom professors of religion were common. " How I did delight," said the Rev. Samuel Houston, " when a young man, to hear the old man pray and read Flavel's Sermons. He numbered ninety-four years ; his wife, religious like himself, survived him two years, and died at the same age. His eldest son William they brought with them from Pennsylvania ; and away on these frontiers sought for him a classi- cal education, that he might be, what he became, a minister of the gospel of Christ, and numbered him among the students at Mount Pleasant, that germ of Washington College. At that school he be- came a proficient in geography, mathematics and the classics. In his advanced years he exhibited a curious phenomenon of mental and physical organization. Under a severe attack of erysipelas he in a great measure, for a time, lost the memory of his mother tongue. He could not give the name of anything he wanted in English ; but could readily give it in Greek or Latin. At times, almost uncon- sciously, he was running over his school exercises in Greek vfith great fluency and correctness. In his old age he often employed himself in solving algebraic questions to preserve the tone of his mind from the ettects of age. An examination by him in Presby- tery was considered by candidates an ordeal. For a time after he completed his course at the academy, he taught the Washington Henry Academy in Hanover County with great approbation. But finding the climate not favorable to his health, he returned to his native valley. When ordained to the ministry, he made the thirty- fifth member of Hanover Presbytery. He was received as candidate April, 1779, and in the fall of the same year, October 28th, was licensed in Prince Edward in company with James Campbell. On the last Wednesday of November, 17^0, was ordained at the Stone Church, upon the hill, and installed pastor of the flock of Christ worshipping there, succeeding Mr. Craig after a vacancy of about six years. He prepared his sermons with care, writing snort notes in his early ministry, not writing out in full any sermon. In later life he trusted his memory entirely. He was orthodox, instructive, in- teresting and evangelical. And with reluctance the people of Augusta listened to flis proposition for a dissolution of the pastoral relation on account of infirmities, principally the efl'ects of erysipelas BEV. WILLIAM WILSON — JAMES CRAWFOKD. 109 in the head. While he lived, and his life was protracted nearly a quarter of a centui-y after he resigned his charge, the congregation listened with pleasure to his preaching. Dr. Speece said the last sermon the venerable man preached a little before his death, " was not inferior in vigor of thought, methodical arrangement, or anima- tion of manner to any that he had ever heard him deliver." He believed in revivals of religion, and was blessed with them in his charge in common Avith his brethren in the Valley. In the awaken- ing of 1801 and onwards, he was an actor. He visited the Little Levels where the revival was first felt in Virginia ; and some of his young people that accompanied him, became, with himself, not only deeply interested in the religious, mental and heart excitements, but also felt something of the bodily exercise. Not knowing how to account for the exercises, and having felt them in his most devout approaches to God in worship, he was inclined to defend them as innocent, and for some unexplained reason a necessary appendage of the work of grace ; after a time he joined with his brethren in dis- couraging their appearance, not by direct opposition, but by refusing to encourage them, while he cherished carefully every appearance of a gracious work. On principle he was an attendant upon the judicatories of the church, and a promoter of education. He en- couraged and assisted two of his brothers in obtaining a liberal education ; and in his old age adverted to this fact with great satis- faction. Thomas became a lawyer, and served in the Legislature and in Congress ; Robert became a minister of the gospel, and removed to Kentucky ; his piety was above the usual order — " he was great in the sight of the Lord." Each of these brothers gave a daughter to the cause of foreign missions. Mrs. Louisa Lowrie, daughter of Thomas, went to India ; and Mrs. Andrews, daughter of Kobert, to the Sandwich Islands. He excelled in pastoral visi- tations, having a great facility in accommodating himself to the mind and condition of people. " I have had a dream," said one of his flock — " an old man appeared to me, and gave me a rusty guinea, and told me to sprinkle water on it. I did so, and it remained rusty. He told me to pour water on it. I did so, and it remained rusty. Drop it in the stream, said he ; I did so, and immediately it became bright. Now, what do you think of it ?" " Why," said he very gravely, " if it had been a young man that appeared it mi